Arda Cup Soccer 2008

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Nilpaurion Felagund

Group D is up next!

Results will be coming later today... Sorry to keep you waiting but... they're coming...

[Nogrod]

The crowd at Osgiliath was full of pride as the city had earned the right to host the Arda 2008 games. All the people had gathered to the stadium and naturally people from Minas Tirith were crowding the place as well. But it was not an all-Gondorian event as the staunch groups of Umbarians and elves from Lothlorién had come to witness the games and to cheer for their team with their colourful masks and ear-catching chants.

On the afternoon match Nargothrond was calling the shots from the very first minutes and they played creatively letting all the players to make their mark on the game. Even if the tallies talk of somewhat even game the truth in the field was different. Nargothrond controlled the ball and had the quality chances. At 22 minutes Glaurung breathed the ball in from a superb pass by Finrod. It was just pure luck the numbers were only 1-0 at the halftime.

Nargothrond stroke again in the beginning of the second half when Barahir tossed the ball in after Beren’s beautiful shot at the post. Umbar side got heated and started getting yellow cards for their frustrated and late tackles. Suddenly Nazgul #9 took the ball from the Nargothrond defence (Bregor and Belegund were not agreeing which one of them should take the ball) and thanked with a score. That was a beautiful piece of individual talent even the supporters of Nargothrond had to admit and just watch in awe.

Sadly for Umbar the goal didn’t lead to a group effort but to more individualism and more foul play. At 74 minutes – playing at one player advance after Brodda had got his second yellow card – Gwindor sent a free kick to the high corner of the net sealing the victory for Nargothrond.

There was no question on which side the crowd cheered for.


Nargothrond 3-1 Umbar
shots 15-10
on target 6-3
Goals:
*Nargothrond, 22 (Glaurung- Finrod)
*Nargothrond, 49 (Barahir- Beren)
*Umbar, 61 (Nazgul #9)
*Nargothrond, 74 (Gwindor)
Yellow Cards:
Nargothrond- Gelmir
Umbar- Ulrad, Brodda, Folcred, Beruthiel
Red Cards:
Umbar- 71, Brodda (second yellow)



But the match of the day was clearly to come. The team of Lothlorién would measure the home team and the tension got ever higher. There was no empty seat on the stadium as the referee whistled the game open.

First both teams played it safe and the game was mostly boring. Lothlorién tried to build up some nice attacks but the Osgiliath’s defence held. The support of the home crowd encouraged the players to give their best in defence.

Slowly the initiative turned to the Osgiliath team and at the second half the crowd went wild. Lothlorién players had started to frustrate and had taken a few yellow cards when after one of them (Gollum hanging on the shirt of Telemnar) Ostoher took the free kick fast releasing Hyarmendacil to face Galadriel one on one. And it was a goal!

After the goal Lothlorién was unable to make it a game and it was indeed Osgiliath who had better chances of furthering their lead. Happily for Lothlorién Galadriel managed to boost her defence to not allow any more goals.

As the referee whistled the game close the crowd went wild cheering, singing and dancing away from the arena.


Lothlorien 0-1 Osgiliath

shots 8-11
on target 1-5
Goals
*Osgiliath, 65 (Hyarmendacil- Ostoher)
Yellow Cards:
Lothlorien- Gimli, Nimrodel, Gollum
Osgiliath- Falastur, Eldacar

[Nogrod]

Gondolin, the town of legends, the city of heroes, the town of the lore, the city of unsurpassed greatness showed the Middle-Earth it had not been chosen as the venue for the Arda 2008 soccer tournament in vain. The opening ceremonies surpassed those of the crowning of king Aragorn back then and the number of the balloons left to float into the air were more numerous as the stand able to home over 50 000 spectators.

At that grand setting the first match between Erebor and Gondor promised to be a classic before the home team would take on Tuna. At least the crowd was waiting for one. And they were not disappointed.

The name of the game came obvious to the spectators from the very beginning. Gondor pressed but their shots were mediocre at best. Then again Erebor shot less but with a far superior quality. Thanks to Beregond the numbers stayed 0-0 up to the end of the first half. The most cheers were given to the deadly looking combo of Smaug, Bard, Beorn and Girion who at times seemed to make fun of the Gondorian defence. At 39th minute the combo finally made a result when Bard hammered the ball into the net after the releasing pass by Girion. It was a goal to be cheered for.

The Gondorian team came to the second half spiritedly and their effort was rewarded at the 56th minute when lord Imrahil managed to ram the ball in from a beautiful pass by Hirluin.

The game was even then and it promised to be a real thriller. But the defence of Gondor got into trouble late in the game not able to stand right with the imaginative and creative attacks they faced. They were unable to counter the dribbling of the Smaug, Bard, Beorn and Girion quartet, and then Golaskil tackled Beorn really bad as he was about to break free to score. It felt like metaphysical justice coming true when Beorn made the free kick and Smaug banged it to the bottom of the net with his tail.


Erebor 2-1 Gondor
shots 10-15
on target 4-6
GOALS:
*Erebor, 39 (Bard- Girion)
*Gondor, 56 (Imrahil- Hirluin)
*Erebor, 77 (Smaug- Beorn)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Erebor- Thror, Dain, Thrain
*Gondor- Minalcar, Golasgil


The anticipation for the second match was something everyone in the crowd could feel. It was going to be a match between real giants and the home crowd was both fearing and anticipating the outcome.

The game proved to be really entertaining. It was no midfield to and fro but the ball stayed mainly near the goals as both teams made their best to score. It was not that there were poor defences, it was just that both sides really went for the attack.

Miriel, who was one of the deciding factors in the game got the Tuna team in front with a great individual performance in the middle of the first period but Idril equalised the game with as beautiful solo performance. Basically the game was one between Eol and Nerdanel. The middle-field motors orchestrated the game and gave the defences hard times with all the talent up front on both teams keeping the goalies at their toes. And the shots were raining on them.

The Gondolin team came very aggressive to the second half and partly because of the pressure of their “gusto” and the home crowd Ecthelion managed to score shooting the ball irresistibly behind Orodreth after a nice releasing pass by Maeglin confusing the goalie to the other corner.

But the good feeling of the home crowd was soon brought down as Finwe headed the excellent pass by Miriel into the back of the Gondolin net. It was 2-2 with about twenty minutes to go.

The “Miriel-show” was something even the home crowd appreciated. She seemed to be everywhere playing tricks with the ball no one thought possible and creating opportunities for her team every once in a while. Against the finesse and quickness of the Tuna efforts laying mostly on Miriel and Nerdanel the robust forwards of Gondolin were able to shield the ball from the defenders at the other end. The Game went to and fro.

Finally the crowd exploded. Maeglin hammered in a shot that would have stunned a roaring bull ten minutes before the full time. It was no surprise that Eol had his mark on the goal: he dribbled two defenders and then passed the ball ingeniously to Maeglin who had sneaked behind the defenders. Orodreth had no chance.

The home crowd went wild and the team stood firm the last ten minutes. The crowd got home joyfully this day as the home team was victorious. The crowd was waiting for more.


Gondolin 3-2 Tuna
shots 16-18
on target 8-9
GOALS:
*Tuna, 21 (Miriel- Nerdanel)
*Gondolin, 41 (Idril)
*Gondolin, 49 (Ecthelion- Maeglin)
*Tuna, 68 (Finwe- Miriel)
*Gondolin, 80 (Maeglin- Eol)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Gondolin- Rog, Salgant, Eol
*Tuna- Guilen, Mahal, Duilin

[the phantom]

--GROUP F--

The stadium upon Taniquetil was half empty for the first game between Amon Rhud and Armenelos. The players from Amon Rhud seemed relieved, as they were used to a life of secrecy. But some of the Armenelos players were visibly offended by the seeming lack of interest in the teams. "What, just because we're mortals, we're not worth your time?!" shouted Ar Zimrathan as he passed a tv camera.

The fans that were present were happy they had attended, for they were treated to a display of fine teamwork and skillful ball control by both squads. Amon Rhud controlled possession early, but they were constantly having to retreat back to the midfield, unable to find cracks in the back line of Armenelos. In the 28th minute they worked the ball in as close as they ever had, and Algund put a move on his defender and kicked one towards the goal. Elros was there easily however and sent a pass deep to Tar Calmacil.

For the rest of the half Armenelos largely controlled the ball, and much of that time was spent on Amon Rhud's half. Amon Rhud did a fine job of halting runs and stepping into shooting and passing lanes, but they were largely unable to steal the ball away. After forcing Ebor to make a couple of saves, Armenelos finally drew blood in the 41st minute as Ar Adunakhor sent a shot in from the corner and Ar Pharazon redirected it into the goal.

During the second half the stadium began slowly filling in anticipation of the second match. As if putting on a repeat performance for those who had missed the first half show, the teams engaged in an eerily similar second half. Amon Rhud controlled the ball but were once again unable to get decent looks at the goal and found themselves in their own field most of the time. And then at about the 60 minute mark Armenelos began their control game, only with their skilled offensive players they were able to work the ball around close to the box quite a bit. In the 67th minute Ar Gimilzor, standing straight out from the goal, somehow threaded a pass to Tar Ancalimon who came sprinting in from the right and he wasted no time in blasting a shot. The shot ricocheted off the shin of the goalie and into the net, giving Armenelos the 2-0 lead.

Amon Rhud attempted to get the ball down the field, but Armenelos's defense held firm and when they took possession they just passed it around, quite content to sit on their two goal lead. As the final whistle sounded quite a few of the spectators booed the Numenoreans vigorously, and the Numenoreans responded by making obscene gestures at the crowd. They are likely to face fines from the Arda Cup Committee.

Amon Rhud 0-2 Armenelos
shots 6-9
on target 2-6
GOALS:
*Armenelos, 41 (Ar Pharazon- Ar Adunakhor)
*Armenelos, 67 (Tar Ancalimon- Ar Gimilzor)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Amon Rhud- Avranc
*Armenelos- Ar Zimrathan, Ar Gimilzor

The stadium filled completely as the players from Taniquetil took the field and began warming up. The boys from Helm's Deep looked surprisingly calm as they took the field, despite being faced by the might of the Valar and their cronies.

"We at Helm's Deep are used to this sort of thing," said Hama before the match. "Standing firm and surviving against overwhelming odds is what we're known for!"

The match started, and the crowd was absolutely deafening as Taniquetil took immediate possession and then.... proceeded to pass the ball back to Vana in front of their own goal. The crowd grew quiet, and watched fairly silently as Taniquetil controlled possession for most of the first half and yet refused to advance the ball past midfield. Aule and Thorondor both tried to push things, but the offensive players for Taniquetil seemed content to let Aule's long passes sail just over them and let Helm's Deep take possession. Twice Thorondor went up past everyone by himself and gained control of a long ball and tried to pound in a long goal, but the goalie easily stopped the shot that didn't go off target.

When Helm's Deep had control they were the mirror image of Taniquetil, passing the ball around in their own zone, not wanting to challenge the defense of Taniquetil. When the first half ended, the stadium buzzed loudly with perplexed chatter. Why did both teams appear to be playing for a tie?

The second half was much the same. Helm and Eomund ran into Taniquetil's half and called loudly for the ball, but their teammates had trouble getting it to them. Helm earned himself one decent chance around minute 60 when he faked out Nessa and gained a clear lane to shoot through, but Mandos reacted well and caught the shot.

Then at minute 75, as if an alarm had gone off, Manwe and many of the other Valar seemed to wake up and began working the ball upfield, and actually working to beat their defenders one on one. At minute 79 Varda broke suddenly towards the goal and Manwe lobbed the ball beautifully out in front of her, and she proceeded to rise up above the defenders and poke the ball towards the goal. Erkenbrand managed to get a hand on the high shot as he leapt up and backwards, but the ball kept most of its momentum and hit off the crossbar and fell down across the line.

The crowd finally had a chance to cheer, and cheer they did. For the final ten minutes Taniquetil played solid defense and kept kicking the ball back down to the other end, and most of the crowd began celebrating the win they knew they'd earned, though quite a few of them remained subdued, a bit unnerved by the in-the-nick-of-time act pulled by Manwe and friends.

"This is football, not Beleriand!" said an irate fan after the game. "They don't have to play so defensively and wait till the last minute!"

Helm's Deep 0-1 Taniquetil
shots 4-6
on target 2-3
GOALS:
*Taniquetil, 79 (Varda- Manwe)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Helm's Deep- Walda, Hama
*Taniquetil- Nienna, Thorondor

[the phantom]

--GROUP H--

Orcs, Trolls, Werewolves, and all manner of creatures filled the stands at Angband stadium. Thangorodrim was belching fumes into the air, covering the sky with a canopy of dark grey which blocked out the sun for the benefit of the many sun-allergic residents.

As the teams took the field curses and threats were hurled at both, but in particular the crowd gave Valimar a difficult time in hopes that they would be angry and distracted enough to be upset by Brethil. But as the game began it didn't look like that would happen. Valimar took control of the ball and moved it down with relative ease and began looking for opportunities to score. They tested the defense of Brethil a couple of times, and the third time they struck gold as Earendil passed expertly to Tulkas who chipped it in from short range.

Brethil got the ball in deep around the 25 minute mark, and after a couple of off-line kicks Haldir managed to direct one true, but Ungolient was there for Valimar to stop it. Valimar took control once again and kept things simple, not being overly aggressive. Eventually they found themselves in close to goal again, and this time it was Tilion sending an excellent pass from the beside the goal out to the front where Eonwe dove and headed it in for a 2-0 lead right before halftime.

The second half was largely controlled by Valimar, though they pushed the ball very little, conserving energy perhaps for their eventual showdown with Angband. Every time Brethil attempted to advance they were met with the staunch defense of Valimar, and Brethil never threatened again, managing only one shot the second half. Ungolient looked absolutely bored back in goal.

The crowd jeered and yelled as the teams went back to their locker rooms, but none of the Valimar players responded, preferring to let their playing do the talking.

Brethil 0-2 Valimar
shots 4-11
on target 1-7
GOALS:
*Valimar, 15 (Tulkas- Earendil)
*Valimar, 40 (Eonwe- Tilion)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Brethil- Brandir
*Valimar- Arien, Pallando, Radagast

When Angband took the field for their match, it was as if a volcano was erupting beneath the stadium. The roar of the crowd literally made the ground tremble (largely due to the many dragons in attendance), and Melkor and his minions waved gleefully at their supporters.

The game began with Angband on the attack, but the valiant squad from Annuminas always seemed to do just enough on defense to keep Angband from getting too good a chance. In the 18th minute Gothmog sent a blistering shot just inside the sidebar, but Arvedui laid out and tipped the shot away.

The ball ended up right in front of Elendur who sent a pass forward to Argeleb, and he dribbled past two Balrogs and lobbed one down field behind the Angband defense. Valandur outfought Uldor for control of the pass, wrong-footed the Balrog who had caught up to help, and blasted a shot into the top corner of the goal past the outstretched paws of Carcharoth to take the early lead!

The Angband crowd sat in stunned silence as the game resumed and Annuminas advanced the ball into Angband's half. At the 33 minute mark Araphor finally gained enough breathing room to try a shot and skidded one down low. Carcharoth was there to deflect it, but the deflection went straight to Arantar who tried to quickly punch it in. The shot went wide however and the crowd breathed a sigh of relief.

Melkor, shouted angrily at his team and they responded to his prodding, playing very good and aggressive all the way up to the half, challenging the defense and goalie of Annuminas several times, though not succeeded in scoring any goals. Both teams drew several yellows before the half.

When they took the field for the second half Angband once again rushed forward aggressively, and scored after a mere two minutes of play, with Gothmog redirecting a hard shot from Melkor. The Angband crowd began cheering again after that a bit, though they certainly had not regained the confidence and swagger that they entered the stadium with.

After that Annuminas tried pushing the ball forward aggressively. Several times Valandur and Araphor were able to gain control of long balls, but they weren't able to gain quality scoring chances. In the 61st minute Ulfast sent a long pass into the middle and Ancalagon kicked it brilliantly out of midair right into the goal.

For the first time since the outset of the game the crowd cheered in full force as all was right in the world once again. After that the Angband defense really locked down and kept Annuminas off the attack, and gained a couple of good scoring chances, though they weren't able to capitalize thanks to Arvedui. As the minutes ticked away the crowd roared louder and louder as Angband controlled the game more and more.

But with only six minutes to go Eldacar ran down a loose ball and lifted the ball down the field where Araphor knocked it down, split through two Balrogs and ran in for a one on one with Carcharoth and squeezed it past on the ground just inside the bar. The small section of Annuminas fans went nuts but the rest of the stadium went dead quiet.

Not content to tie, Angband immediately went full attack, but Melkor got a bit carried away and got his second yellow and was sent off the field. The last few minutes Angband appeared scared of making a mistake while shorthanded and tried to run the clock out. Annuminas tried to mount an attack at the end, but the defense held easily for the tie.

Angband 2-2 Annuminas
shots 15-7
on target 7-4
GOALS:
*Annuminas, 18 (Valandur- Argeleb)
*Angband, 47 (Gothmog- Melkor)
*Angband, 61 (Ancalagon- Ulfast)
*Annuminas, 84 (Araphor- Eldacar)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Angband- Ulfast, Uldor, Ancalagon, Balrog #3, Balrog #4, Melkor
*Annuminas- Arantar, Tarandor, Tarcil, Valandur
RED CARDS:
*Angband- Melkor, 86 (2nd yellow)

[Nogrod]

The sporting community has always been renonwned for its effort to promote peace and brotherhood among nations but a few eyebrows were raised when the Arda 2008 board gave Mordor the right to host group G for the tournament.

The organisers had done their best before the tournament making different PR-campaigns but not all were convinced. Some of them just seemed to lack any street credibility like the campaign “No more tug of war – go out, hug a dwarf!”. The others seemed not to exactly promote brotherhood of nations but rather opened old wounds, like the “We couldn’t beat the White City in the war so let’s beat them on the scoreboard” –campaign. And what should one say about the last and greatest campaign of “Don’t kill a tourist!”?

It was then no wonder that only a handful of extreme football fanatics from Hithlum, Moria and Minas Tirith dared to venture to the games in Mordor. Against all odds there had been only sporadic acts of violence and only a few deaths during the days leading to the games.

The stadium was practically empty when the referee whistled the game between Hithlum and Moria open. The orcs were still preparing for the grand match of the evening drinking in local pubs and warming up by having fights with themselves and with any outlanders they could find. Naturally most of the visitors felt themselves the most safe within the walls of the stadium.

And what a match they saw there! If someone had bet his money on Moria he should quickly try to get his money back for there was practically one team in the field – and what a game it played! Hithlum was leading 2-0 before even an half an hour had been played. Hurin broke through the defence with a most intelligent pass by Fingolfin and just ten minutes later Turin shot such a rocket from 30 meters that the Watcher was only able watch it go in. Before the half time Hithlum had two great chances of adding their lead but first Hador and then Hurin managed to shoot wide from open places.

To anyone betting on these games it must be said though that Hithlum’s defence made a few cardinal mistakes in the beginning of the second period when Moria tried to come back to the game. First Gundor and Marach collided going for the same ball giving Narvi a great opportunity to score. Just a few minutes later Hador blundered as the lowest defender and passed the ball straight to Durin’s feet. But on both occasions Huor at the goal was a man worth his weight in gold. But so it went that on 51st minute Durin’s Bane finally booted the ball in after Bolg had dribbled Gundor out of the game and passed him free to an empty goal.

But that was all team Moria was capable of. The Hithlum team pulled itself together after the goal and went its way. The slowly growing crowd witnessed the sealing of the match on 69th minute when Fingolfin played a nice wall-pass with Hurin and hammered the ball in from the edge of the box.

Hithlum 3-1 Moria
shots 14-10
on target 6-4
GOALS:
*Hithlum, 17 (Hurin-Fingolfin)
*Hithlum, 28 (Turin- Fingon)
*Moria, 51 (Durin's Bane- Bolg)
*Hithlum, 69 (Fingolfin- Hurin)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Hithlum- Aegnor
*Moria- Oin, Balin, Great Goblin


But then all was set for the real game the crowd had been anticipating. Due to the peace-promoting campaigns the general feeling was that of a war. When the teams walked in to the field the crowd started throwing knives and different kind of kitchen utensils on the Minas Tirith team who made a quick leap back to the field house. It was only after several announcements and the referee’s threat to cancel the match that the crowd started behaving and the match could begin.

It was no surprise the game was a rough one. 11 cards were dealt during the game and a more strict referee would have easily given double or triple the amount. The game was also stopped three times because of the crowd’s behaviour. First it went mad from Minas Tirith’s equaliser calling it an offside, second time they greeted the visiting team yet again with knives and bottles as the second half was about to start and third time they couldn’t take the referee’s decision to send Shagrat off the field at 65th minute (that time the referee’s were forced to run for cover).

Mordor got an early lead when Khamul was freed by an ingenious pass by the Witch King who had scared the defenders away. But Minas Tirith equalised with Denethor II’s long pass that freed Boromir to face Shelob one on one. Whether it was actually offside will remain a disputed point that will be discussed for years to come.

The game was rough but it was also very offensive football. Both Ecthelion and Shelob had to perform their best to keep the scoreline low. And they did it. But finally, on the 57th minute Mordor’s forwards aided by Nazguls #3 and #4 opened the Minas Tirith defence with beautiful series of passes leaving The Witch King the easy job to pass the ball into the empty net in front of him. Officially the pass went to The Mouth but to be fair also Khamul and the Nazguls should have been recorded.

After getting the lead Mordor team started to secure their position which led into Minas Tirith getting the upper hand in the field. Mordor’s assets weakened considerably as Shagrat was sent to the shower at 65th minute for biting Telumehtar’s ear during a row before a corner kick. But Mordor had a tactics for the situation as well. Khamul managed to provoke Ondoher into a retaliation by kicking him to the groin when the referee didn’t notice. As Ondoher got back to his senses and went mad chasing Khamul around the field the referee showed him the red card immediately. Worried about Ondoher’s security, if he would need to walk out from the field and thence go near the audience, the referee made an unconventional decision ordering him to stand in the middle spot of the field not allowed to take part in the game for the rest of the match.

Even if they tried their best Minas Tirith never got the second goal and the home team was victorious. It had actually been the better team on the field and earned the victory but the behaviour of the crowd would be assessed through a looking glass. The threat is the last games will be played in an empty stadium.

Minas Tirith 1-2 Mordor
shots 10-15
on target 5-8
GOALS:
*Mordor, 22 (Khamul- Witch King)
*Minas Tirith, 38 (Boromir I- Denethor II)
*Mordor, 57 (Witch King- The Mouth)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Minas Tirith- Ondoher, Telumehtar, Earnil II, Earnur, Beregond
*Mordor- Shagrat, Nazgul #6, Khamul, Nazgul #7
RED CARDS:
*Minas Tirith- Ondoher, 68 (2nd yellow)
*Mordor- Shagrat, 65 (2nd yellow)

[Nogrod]

The Arda-Kicker Magazine has given its points after the first round of matches.

Five stars go to:

Scatha of Mirkwood
Tar Palantir of Romenna
Huan of Formenos
Hurin of Hithlum

Three stars will go to:

Eomer of Edoras
Maeglin of Gondolin
Fingolfin of Hithlum
Ther Witch King of Mordor
Miriel of Tuna
Melian of Doriath
Amandil of Romenna

One star will go to:

Boromir II of Rivendell
Varda of Taniquetil
Bain of Erebor
Huor of Hithlum
Amandil of Romenna
Valandur of Annuminas
Brytta of Edoras
Bard of Erebor
Idril of Gondolin
Boromir I of Minas Tirith
Durin's Bane of Moria
Barahir of Nargothrond
Glaurung of Nargothrond
Eomer of Tol In Gaurhoth


At the end of the tournament the player receiving the most Arda-Kicker points will win a stupendous prize!

[the phantom]

GROUP A
Fornost vs Michel Delving
Rivendell vs Romena

GROUP B
Breeland vs Mirkwood
Edoras vs Tol-In-Gaurhoth

GROUP C
Alqualonde vs Isengard
Doriath vs Formenos

GROUP D
Lothlorien vs Umbar
Nargothrond vs Osgiliath

GROUP E
Gondor vs Tuna
Erebor vs Gondolin

GROUP F
Amon Rhud vs Helm's Deep
Armenelos vs Taniquetil

GROUP G
Minas Tirith vs Moria
Hithlum vs Mordor

GROUP H
Annuminas vs Valimar
Angband vs Brethil

Feel free to make predictions as to what will happen in Round 2, as well as give your take on the events of Round 1.

[skip spence]

Originally Posted by the phantom

Melkor got a bit carried away and got his second yellow and was sent off the field.

Does that mean Melkor will get suspended for the two remaining group matches?

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

After the group stages, wouldn't a bracket contest be lovely?

While I was heavily into StarCraft progaming, when StarLeague group stages are over we'd do bracket predictions, like this:


(Never mind the names, haha.)

And then for every correct prediction in the:

1st round: 1 pt
Quarterfinals: 2 pts
Semifinals: 4 pts
Finals: 8 pts

Then whoever gets the most points wins the famed No-Prize award (meaning you get nothing but bragging rights.)

But if you get your entire bracket correct, then that something really special.

So, can we have one? Pretty please?

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Enedwaith . . . standings and some statistics after Round 1:



Clearly, the biggest disappointments this round are:

• Angband's tie with Annúminas

  Angband's unnamed Balrogs better improve their playing. Not to take anything from the Dúnedain of Arnor--they played superbly--, but you expect Ainur to play better than that.

• Lothlórien's dismal showing against Osgiliath.

  Does anyone there besides Galadriel deserve to be playing football? Their attacking was dismal and their defence was so-so. At the rate they're playing now they'll be the doormat of their group, Umbar at least managed to score a goal against group favourite Nargothrond.

Michel Delving's game against Rómena was also a bit of a disappointment, but I have to admit, Rómena's defence is more solid than I thought.

And better luck next time, Swans. I guess the Hobbits still have to get used to playing with the Deathless.

Round 2 predictions will come later.

[the phantom]

--GROUP A--

The stadium at Rivendell was pretty well filled for the first match between Fornost and Michel Delving. Nearly all the Rangers had made the trek to the enchanted valley to support their team, and even more hobbits from the Shire had come, though they did not find the journey as pleasant. "There weren't enough inns!" was the general complaint.

But they had all found lodging in and around Rivendell and were rested and well fed, and ready to cheer on their teams. A great number of Elves were in attendance as well, eager to watch the match between these two as many of them had friends on the teams.

The whistle sounded and play began. Early on it looked as if the Rangers were having a tough time psychologically. The hobbits were quite aggressive and their opponents seemed unwilling to meet them head on, as they had in fact spent so many years protecting the hobbits from all manner of people and beasts. But at the 24 minute mark Ted Sandyman "accidentally" tripped one of the Fornost midfielders right onto his face, and this seemed to rile Fornost up enough to take the initiative. At 33 minutes Arathorn headed in a nice curving corner by Arahad and Fornost was up 1-0.

Immediately after the half the hobbits got the ball down in front of the Fornost goal, and after a couple of possession changes in which Fornost failed to get the ball away from their goal, Fatty led Merry with a nice pass right in front of the goal. Merry barely beat the goalie to the ball and managed to poke it away from him and then chip it in to equalize.

Neither team had great opportunities the rest of the game. At the 67 minute mark Fornost scored what would be the final goal of the game- Arahael redirected a pass from Arasuil. The only other occurrence of interest was at minute 61 when Fatty received a Yellow Card for wearing the wrong jersey. Instead of reading his name across the back, the jersey read "Frodo Baggins".

"We thought it might confuse the other team, and throw them off the scent of what we were up to," said Merry after the game. "Unfortunately we got caught. Oh well- at least we tried."

Fornost 2-1 Michel Delving
shots 12-12
on target 5-4
GOALS:
*Fornost, 33 (Arathorn- Arahad)
*MD, 48 (Merry- Fatty)
*Fornost, 67 (Arahael- Arasuil)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Fornost- Arador
*Michel Delving- Ted, Fatty, Gerontius

Much of the crowd left to get some food after the first game, but they returned in force quickly and the stadium was soon filled, and even overflowing into the aisles. There was much to talk about before the game.

Would Aragorn, Valandil, and Boromir be in awe of their forefathers? How would Elrond feel playing against the Elf-Friends from his own brother's kingdom? Were Elrond, Celeborn, and others still upset with Isildur for not destroying the Ring when he had the chance? And how would all of this impact them heading into the game?

But soon the time for discussion was over and play was under way. It was immediately obvious that it would be a defensive struggle. Time and time again when the ball made its way towards a goal the field cluttered up, the ball was surrounded, and soon the ball was headed in the other direction. Both sides competed hard, and though there was plenty of bumping and jostling both teams tried to keep things clean.

Just before the half Elendil managed to knock down a long pass and poked the ball ahead to a sprinting Isildur who had managed to get a step on Erestor. Celeborn came up to contest the pass and all three players collided, but Isildur somehow kept his feet as the other two fell and he blasted a shot to the top far corner of the goal. But Elrond guessed right on the kick and put just enough of a hand on the ball to deflect it up and over the crossbar.

Early in the second half Rivendell got their first real chance, but Boromir's rocket was tipped aside by Amandil. At minute 67 Tar Palantir sent in a beautiful corner and Elendil headed it into the empty net in front of him, but Elrond again came diving out of nowhere to bat the shot aside. The Romena section which had started to stand to cheer the goal sat back down with a groan.

Finally in minute 74 Rivendell broke the tie. Aragorn threaded a pass into Glorfindel, and Glorfindel put a spin move on his defender, faked a quick shot at the near post, and then floated the ball high to the opposite corner over the goalie who had bit on the fake. The crowd roared, quite certain that their defense could hold for 15 more minutes to clinch the victory. And hold they did. The Rivendell players left the field heads held high, knowing that they were in the driver's seat for the playoffs.

Rivendell 1-0 Romena
shots 6-8
on target 2-3
GOALS:
*Rivendell, 74 (Glorfindel- Aragorn)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Rivendell- Valandil
*Romena- Tar Aldarion, Tar Surion

[Nogrod]

The first game of the second round in Edoras was a real deathmatch between two teams that had lost their first games. A defeat in this game would practically end all the hopes for the losing side whereas a win today would keep everything in their own hands (a win in the last match would qurantee them a place in the next round).

Both coaches had clearly pressed the point as the teams played an outstandingly offensive game providing entertainment for a full house of football fans gathered to the stadium. It was a hot afternoon for the goalies on both ends of the field.

Like in its first game Mirkwood took the control of the game in the beginning with an aggressive playing style. The pressure lead to an early lead already on the 9th minute when Legolas headed the ball in from a corner by Thranduil.

Mirkwood never gave away the control of the game but with the individual skill of its few players and even some luck the Breeland team managed to stay in the game keeping the Mirkwood defense at its toes.

After quite a low key performance in the first game The Barrow Wight started showing his qualities and Tom Bombadill demonstrated why he’s thought to be one the best forwards there is in the northern Middle Earth. The Mirkwood side relied much more to a team effort as they seem to be having – against all expectations – quite a balanced team who despite the racial tensions seems to be quite proud and willing to play together for their homeland.

After Barrow Wight’s sensational cannonball he shot from 35 meters brought the game even, the Mirkwood team’s pressure led them to a lead once again before the half time after Grishnakh was passed free in to the box by a nice pass by Legolas.

But Breeland did hang on and equalized the game again after the second half of the game had been played for only four minutes. The dynamic duo of The Barrow Wight and Tom Bombadill fooled the whole Mirkwood defence and Tom ended it with a ferocious kick from his much feared yellow boot.

Mirkwood continued pressing and took the lead the third time at 64th minute. Nob was forced to tackle Legolas as he was about to break free from which he was rightly shown a yellow card. Grimbeorn shot the free kick hitting the post. Scatcha who had excelled in the first match was the first one to get to the ball and he hammered it past Old Man Willow who had no chance to readjust his position.

Many thought the game was packed but they were wrong. The duo BW & Tom did it once again. At less than ten minutes of the game left they forced their way through the Mirkwood defence and silenced it’s supporters by bringing the game even for the third time.

The crowd was entertained with great performances and a lot of goals and excitement, and both teams still had their dream alive of making it to the second round of matches. The somewhat feared clashes between the supporters of Breelanders (who called the Mirkwoodians “eastern mongrels”) and Mirkwood fans (who called the Breelanders “bun-hearted westerners”) happily never took place as both team and their supporters seemed to be happy with the result.

Breeland 3-3 Mirkwood
shots 14-19
on target 7-10
GOALS:
*Mirkwood, 9 (Legolas- Thranduil)
*Breeland, 24 (Barrow Wight- Ferny)
*Mirkwood, 38 (Grishnakh- Legolas)
*Breeland, 49 (Tom- Barrow Wight)
*Mirkwood, 64 (Scatha- Grimbeorn)
*Breeland, 81 (Tom- Barrow Wight)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Breeland- Sardoc, Nob
*Mirkwood- Galion, Grimbeorn, Lagduf

Many were afraid that the winners of the first leg of matches would be playing it safe today against each other. But they were proved wrong as soon as the game started. Both teams fought fiercely for every ball and tried to shoot always they had even the slightest chance of doing it.

The Tol-In-Gaurhoth team gave the home crowd shock-treatment by taking the lead already at the 8th minute. Sauron passed the ball backwards with his heel like he knew the phantom was breaking free. The phantom seldom misses a one on one with the goal keeper and it was no different this day.

With the backing of a roaring crowd the home team stood up and started to fight back. With Eorl controlling the team play Edoras rolled over the middle field and came nearer and nearer scoring a goal. After 31 minutes of play Eomer finally exploded the stadium with the equalizer they deserved. Just before the half time the crowd went totally mad as Eorl himself booted the ball in from in front of the goal after a nice pass by Eowyn.

The crowd sang songs of victory through the intermission.

But the Tol-In-Gaurhoth team was not ready to surrender that easily and from the very first minutes of the second half on, that became clear to the homeside fans as well. T-I-G forced the Edoras team to run for their lead by passing the ball ever faster and as both teams continued the hard game the home team started to wear down as the game went on. This was clearly visible in the number of bookings the homeside received in the second period.

At 59th minute T-I-G got it’s earned equalizer as Formendacil headed irresistibly a free kick given by Eomer in. The hometeam tried to turn into offence once more but it had clearly lost its legs and after just defending the beginning of the second period it seemed hard to them to change the tempo and focus of their play – even if Eorl’s great individual play gave some hard times to T-I-G defence.

And so it happened that at the 78th minute the amazing duo Sauron – the phantom whose passes seemed to find each other every time they were on offence together silenced the crowd once and for all by giving the T-I-G the lead.

Edoras threw in all it had to throw during the last minutes but the T-I-G team-defence held and the visitors took the valuable points.

With the win Tol-In-Gaurhoth secured it’s place in the second round of games that start after the group-phase. The enthusiasm could be seen in the faces of the many T-I-G supporters caught by the cameras after the final whistle. Mormegil, Feanor of the Peredhil and Boromir LXXXVIII (not to be muddled up with Boromir I or Boromir II) were passing a bottle of sparkling wine and singing while Valier and Naria were blowing empty ones trying to dance at the same time.


Edoras 2-3 Tol-In-Gaurhoth
shots 18-16
on target 8-8
GOALS:
*TIG, 8 (the phantom- Sauron)
*Edoras, 31 (Eomer- Theodred)
*Edoras, 43 (Eorl- Eowyn)
*TIG, 59 (Formendacil- Eomer)
*TIG, 78 (Sauron- the phantom)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Edoras- Brytta, Aldor, Eowyn, Frealaf, Eomer
*TIG- Cailin, Formendacil, Thuringwethil


----------------------
B EDORAS

Mirkwood – Tol in Gaurhoth 2-3
Breeland – Edoras 2-3

Breeland – Mirkwood 3-3
Edoras – Tol in Gaurhoth 2-3


1. Tol in Gaurhoth 6-4 6pts
2. Edoras 5-5 3pts
3. Breeland 5-6 1pt
4. Mirkwood 5-6 1pt

The last matches:
Mirkwood – Edoras
Tol in Gaurhoth – Breeland

[Nogrod]

Like in Edoras, also in Osgilath the afternoon match was one between the losing teams of the first leg. But there the similarities seemed to come to an end. For as the crowds really got entertainment for their money in Edoras, there’s not much to tell the next generations about the match between Lothlorien and Umbar. Especially the Lothlorien team has disappointed both their fans and the great number of football cognoscenti who have bet their money on the team getting through from its group. After today’s match Lorien still has a chance to go forwards but the betting offices are giving one extremely high returns on that prediction.

The game was mostly lazy-paced. The Umbar offence showed some real promise at times but the Lothlorien defence led by Galadriel – which seems to be the only thing working in that team – managed to keep the Umbarians at bay for most of the first half. But just before the half time Nazgul #9 managed to pass the ball to Castamir who gave the southerners the lead with a splendid bicycle-kick even Galadriel was unable to catch.

As their only forward Eldarion was running in shadows Haldir tried to beat his team into making an effort on the second half but was mainly left alone in the offence. Umbar was the more active party on the second half as well but it seemed they were mostly happy with their lead and so most of the game was played in the middle field.

Securing one’s lead has proven a bad idea many times before and so it did this afternoon as well. Lothlorien got the equalizer as Haldir managed to beat his team into a few real efforts. Amroth made a good run at 70th minute and Haldir passed him a long ball behind the Umbar defence. Pelendur at Umbar goal had only needed to catch two shots in the whole game before Amroth’s breakthtrough and was totally unprepared leaving it an easy job for the Lothlorien midfielder to score.

Both teams maintained their chances of qualifying from the group-phase but with these performances it’s more than easy to predict that the evening game’s teams will be more probable ones to qualify.

Lothlorien 1-1 Umbar
shots 11-15
on target 4-7
GOALS:
*Umbar, 41 (Castamir- Nazgul #9)
*Lothlorien, 70 (Amroth- Haldir)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Lothlorien- Gollum, Rumil, Orophin
*Umbar- Sangahyando, Ulrad, Fastred

The crowd was waiting nervously for the evening match as the Nargothrond team had taken a convincing win over Umbar on the first round and the team was full of legendary players. The Nargothrond roster looked quite intimidating indeed.

Osgiliath took to defending from the opening whistle. It was the tactics they knew and they hoped that Nargothrond would get too confident on offence so that they could strike back with fast counter-attacks. But the Nargothrond team played a very disciplined game and didn’t fall for that so any time they lost the ball on offence they fell immediately back into defence and minimized the chances for any effective counterattacks.

But it was clear from the very beginning which was the team calling the shots in the field. Osgiliath defended bravely like in the old days when they had to do it for real – and like then the opposing forces just ran them over. Glaurung in fact did literally just that as using his size to his advantage he forced his way through the defence and hammered the ball in.

On the second half the script remained more or less the same. Nargothrond still played a highly disciplined game which gave also the Osgiliath team some opportunities to actually build up attacks. And Nargothorond also scored on the second half of the game. But if Glaurung’s goal was just brutal force and brazen aggressiveness then Beren’s and Gwindor’s goal on 60th minute was classy teamwork with a show of talent even the homeside fans had to acknowledge and cheer for.

But the 2-0 lead seemed to relax the Nargothrondian discipline a bit. Awakened with the newly found cheering and singing of the homecrowd the Osgiliath team turned into open offence and started creating some nice opportunities. Those were paid at 72nd minute when Eldacar finally got into a runaway with Falastur against a lonely defender Bregor. He made a late sliding tackle on Falastur who nevertheless managed to pass the ball to Eldacar who then beat Beor on the goal. Bregor was booked with a yellow card afterwards and the homecrowd was wild with joy.

The homeside goal woke the Nargothrond team and they played securely keeping the homeside at bay for the last minutes of the game.

The win for Nargothrond means they’re secured to qualify. Osgiliathians gained a lot of self-confidence after being able to play a decent game against such an opponent a will be hard for Umbar to beat on the last round. And with a win on that game the Ogiliath team qualifies.

Nargothrond 2-1 Osgiliath
shots 10-8
on target 4-2
GOALS:
*Nargothrond, 35 (Glaurung- Finrod)
*Nargothrond, 60 (Beren- Gwindor)
*Osgiliath, 72 (Eldacar- Falastur)
YELLOW CARDS:
Nargothrond- Glaurung, Bregor
Osgiliath- Narmacil


-----------------------
D OSGILIATH

Nargothrond – Umbar 3-1
Lothlorien – Osgiliath 0-1

Lothlorien – Umbar 1-1
Nargothrond – Osgiliath 2-1


1. Nargothrond 5-2 6pts
2. Osgiliath 2-2 3pts
3. Lothlorien 1-2 1pt
4. Umbar 2-4 1pt

The last matches:
Umbar – Nargothrond
Osgiliath – Lothlorien

[the phantom]

--GROUP C--

As the crowds gathered in Doriath, the Noldor who had come to support Formenos were ushered immediately into the controlled atmosphere of the stadium as angry residents of Doriath shouted threats and threw bottles- far too many of the bottles completely empty, "And the threats as well!" remarked one of the Formenos supports.

Though the first round game between Alqualonde and Formenos was a grudge match with ugly history behind it, the crowd did not get out of hand due to the fact that there were fairly even numbers. The Alqualondians dared not attack their foes. But as the games were being hosted in Doriath, their fans had no such population limitations.

Before the first game opened up King Elwe took the field and gave a fine speech. "We were all caught in Melkor's foul web! Even I, your king, sent a man, Beren, purposefully to his death. I am as guilty of murder as the Sons of Feanor! Will you mistreat me?" Elwe continued, asking the crowd to put their hurts behind them, and show themselves to be a wise and goodly people.

In large part the Sindar were calmed, but there remained pockets of drunk unreasonable fans which would surely cause trouble during the second match. But the first match proceeded without any problems, and the crowd was largely on the side of Alqualonde, including King Elwe who cheered his brother on from the stands. Both teams played good solid football the first half, but neither could get on the scoreboard due to a couple of fine saves by both keepers.

But things changed quickly in the second half, as Lindo sent one over to Gil Galad and he went straight around his defender and pounded a goal in as help didn't arrive quick enough. The crowd cheered loudly and Alqualonde, their morale boosted by the goal and the support, went on the attack yet again. The Isengard defense held at first, but at minute 62 Uinen passed the ball to her husband and Osse thundered a powerful kick right between two defenders and into the goal.

Isengard began playing more risky after that, but it paid off at minute 71 as Ugluk received a pass and beat two defenders to an open shot and cut the lead to 2-1. But that was all that Saruman's team could muster, as Saruman himself was for nearly the entire game shadowed by Frodo who frustrated the wizard time and time again.

Alqualonde 2-1 Isengard
shots 12-10
on target 6-5
GOALS:
*Alqualonde, 47 (Gil Galad- Lindo)
*Alqualonde, 62 (Osse- Uinen)
*Isengard, 71 (Ugluk- Quickbeam)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Alqualonde- Elwing
*Isengard- Deor, Ugluk

As Formenos took the field for the second game, bottles and even a few knives came flying out of a couple of sections close to the tunnel. As the guards converged on the problem areas the Formenos team perplexingly did a lap around the field, staying rather close to the crowd the entire time, though keeping their faces turned away. Several times they passed a trouble spot and objects flew at them, and the guards in that area would converge and arrest the offending parties. When they finished the lap they were battered and bruised, and many of them cut, looking in no condition to play, though at least the worst fans had been found out and removed.

But then eleven more players wearing Formenos uniforms trotted out of the tunnel, shook hands with the squad already on the field, and the first group went back to the locker room. The confused referee made his way over to the Formenos bench, and there he was informed that the first group had merely been decoys wearing Formenos uniforms sent out to reveal the worst behaved fans and get them arrested.

And then Doriath took the field. The crowd whooped and hollered, certain that their King and Queen, aided by some of the finest players in the kingdom, could deliver a win.

Formenos took possession and passed the ball around the midfield, and the crowd still cheered. They pushed the ball into the offensive zone and passed it around, and Doriath could not get the ball away from them, and the crowd grew slightly quieter. At the ten minute mark Maedhros boomed a scary kick just over the crossbar and things grew quieter still. Doriath took possession a couple of times but were not able to cross midfield, and the crowd noise lowered to a murmur.

Aredhel passed to Feanor and he lined a kick up that Melian barely tipped in order to make it hit the sidebar and rebound away. The crowd grew silent for a moment, but Doriath pushed the ball away from the goal and the crowd began building up a cheer. And then at the 22 minute mark Feanor stole a pass, put a move on a defender and ran into the right side of the box. Two defenders and Melian converged and at the last minute Feanor sent a behind the back heel pass out in front of the far post, and his eldest son Maedhros came sprinting in from the side and slid into the pass and pushed it across the goal line with him.

The crowd watched in silence (apart from the small Noldorin section) for the next several minutes, as Formenos continued to control play. Doriath twice took shots at the goal, but they were prayers from a considerable distance that did not disturb Huan in the least.

At minute 37 Maedhros broke free and pounded a monster kick directly at Melian, betting she'd guess one way or the other. But instead she held her ground and stopped it. But so forceful was the kick that she was unable to control it, and the ball got away from her, and first to it was Aredhel who wasted no time in chipping the ball into the open net in front of her. The crowd merely stared as Formenos went into halftime with a 2-0 lead.

As the second half began, it was apparent that Formenos was happy with their lead and more than willing to conserve energy and just play keep-away with the ball in their own zone. They were largely successful until the 68th minute, when Daeron managed to get a toe on a pass and deflect it forward. Mablung snagged the deflection and got a pass through to Elwe, who quickly hung one up for Beleg to head in. But Huan ran out to cut off the angle and took Beleg's shot directly to the midsection and then jumped on the ball before anyone could get the rebound.

Feanor ran back and berated the Formenos defenders and they really picked up their play after that, never allowing Doriath to have possession in the front part of the field. Some of the depressed crowd actually began filing out with fifteen minutes still left in the game, and because of it they missed their team's only goal, though it wasn't anything to be proud of. Mablung sent a hard shot at the goal and, as seen on the replay, it ricocheted off Beleg's shoulder, completely changing course, and Huan could not prevent it from sneaking in off the sidebar.

Gifted with a chance to pull the game even, Doriath immediately tried to push the ball into the forward zone, but Formenos, taking no chances now, sent the ball down the field to their skilled up front players, and Formenos held the ball in Doriath's half for the remainder of the game to take firm control of Group C.

Doriath 1-2 Formenos
shots 7-15
on target 3-8
GOALS:
*Formenos, 22 (Maedhros- Feanor)
*Formenos, 37 (Aredhel- Maedhros)
*Doriath, 82 (Beleg- Mablung)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Doriath- Daeron, Saeros, Elwe
*Formenos- Caranthir, Feanor

[the phantom]

--GROUP F--

The pubs around Taniquetil stadium were teeming with Elves, Ainu, and men the minute they opened for business. Everyone was excited for the games that would take place later in the day. Amon Rhud and Helm's Deep, losers of their first matches, both believed they could pick up a win and thus not be sent home without any points. Supporters of Taniquetil and Armenelos on the other hand discussed how they might go about taking complete control of the group in the second match.

For the most part things were civil, but arguments did break out here and there between the Valar's faithful supporters and the haughty fans of Armenelos.

"How can you honestly expect to contest with the Powers of Arda?"
"We've done it before, haven't we?"
"Yes, and you got crushed and drowned!"
"That wasn't the Valar who did that! They had to call on Eru for protection, because they knew they couldn't take us on!"
"That's not true! Manwe just didn't want to see blood shed in Valinor!"
"Oh, so it was all about protecting the Elves that lived in Valinor, huh? Then why was it that they didn't think twice about taking those same Elves to battle against Angband and spilling their blood then? Why didn't Manwe just call upon Eru then? Ha ha, because he didn't have to! He knew they could beat Melkor- but he didn't stand a chance against us!"
"You fools! You'll find out that isn't true once the Valar take the field!"

But the Valar were not due to take the field until the first match had been played, and hungry to see as much action as possible the majority of the crowds went inside for the first game between Amon Rhud and Helm's Deep.

The first half was showcase of good team play, but was not particularly exciting. Both teams gained only one quality shot, and neither converted. The ball rarely left the midfield as both teams seemed determined to not allow the other team to score.

The second half went the same way as the first half until minute 62. Nearly all of Amon Rhud withdrew towards their own goal as they had done several times, only this time the Helm's Deep defense drew in a bit farther than usual, while at the same time Grithnir and Asgon stayed fairly stationary up near midfield. And then suddenly as Forhend sent a pass to Forweg, Grithnir and Asgon took off towards the goal on the left side and Forweg boomed the ball down the field. Gram was able to contest the pass, but Asgon tipped it ahead and Grithnir kept going with it. Goldwine was far back enough but was too far towards the right to make it over in time and Grithnir beat Erkenbrand one on one for the game's only score.

"They played a fine game," said Eomund of Helm's Deep after the match, who knew his team was all but eliminated after the loss. "I mean, it wasn't long ago that they were legit title contenders back when Beleg and Turin played for them. They still know how to play some good football. We need to train harder during the offseason if we want to beat teams like this, and maybe even sign a couple of players back that were with us in our glory days- Eomer, Gimli, Legolas, Aragorn, Gandalf.... we could really use them."

Amon Rhud 1-0 Helm's Deep
shots 8-6
on target 3-2
GOALS:
*Amon Rhud, 62 (Grithnir- Asgon)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Amon Rhud- Asgon, Forweg
*Helm's Deep- Brego, Fengel

As the crowd awaited the start of the Armenelos vs Taniquetil match, they grew restless. "Can we truly challenge the Valar?" thought the fans from Armenelos. "Was Manwe truly scared of them when their army showed up?" thought the fans of Taniquetil. As the teams set up to begin, neither looked nervous. Manwe looked completely serene, and Taniquetil fans took heart. But the kings of Numenor looked proud and unintimidated, and the Armenelos fans were boosted as well.

The whistle sounded and the match began- a match that will be remembered for years to come. As in the first game, Taniquetil came out rather defensively, and Armenelos took the initiative and went after them. After forcing a tough save from Mandos only 3 minutes in and shooting wide twice, Armenelos stunned the crowd in the 12th minute as Ar Pharazon punched in a pass from Tar Ancalimon. Many boos greeted Ar Phar as he bowed to the Taniquetil crowd and smiled. Only minutes later Taniquetil and their fans were sent reeling as Ar Pharazon scored yet again, this time off a corner by Ar Adunakhor.

Taniquetil managed to hold possession for a while after that, trying to get the game calmed back down to a comfortable pace, but they were constantly harassed by the Numenorean defenders and only managed three rather long shots before halftime.

After the half Armenelos charged forward again, and a mere three minutes into play Ar Adunakhor took a pass from Tar Minastir and sent a rocket past Mandos for a shocking 3-0 lead! Manwe called a time out for Taniquetil and spoke to his teammates for quite a long time as the players for Armenelos strolled around the field waving at the crowd. After the timeout Taniquetil tried to push the ball more aggressively, but the Armenelos defense frustrated them again and again, as they were no longer concerned about scoring any more goals they were able to concentrate all of their efforts on defense.

There were many words exchanged between the players and the ref began to hand out cards. At minute 69 the crowd's attention was attracted to the middle of the field as Yavanna was chasing after Tar Calmacil and attempting to kick him. Varda and Thorondor ran to restrain her and the ref hit her with a red card and sent her off- in the meanwhile Tar Calmacil was being patted on the back by his fellow kings for his successful provocation. What he did to her exactly is unclear, though on replay he can clearly be seen pulling up a clump of grass, ripping it apart, and saying something to her.

With a one man advantage, Armenelos had a fairly easy time holding the remainder of the game. Much of the crowd stayed in their seats even after the teams had exited, rooted to the spot by the dismal performance they had just received from their home team.

Armenelos 3-0 Taniquetil
shots 19-7
on target 9-1
GOALS:
*Armenelos, 12 (Ar Pharazon- Tar Ancalimon)
*Armenelos, 26 (Ar Pharazon- Ar Adunakhor)
*Armenelos, 48 (Ar Adunakhor- Tar Minastir)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Armenelos- Tar Calmacil, Ar Gimilzor
*Taniquetil- Thorondor, Aule, Varda
RED CARDS:
*Taniquetil- Yavanna, 69

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Hehe, I thought I'd still have a few days to do game predictions. Must do last group stage game predictions rather quickly . . .

But 'yay' to Nargothrond!

And 'aww' to Doriath.

[the phantom]

--GROUP H--

As the second round games in Angband prepared to begin, the fans of the various teams had a lot on their minds.

Valimar fan: Well, we're in control right now, but we still have to play Angband in the final match, and most people think they're the best team in the tournament. Ah, but we can't overlook Annuminas. They must be pretty good to have tied Angband. This is a tough group.

Angband fan: I can't believe we had to settle for a tie. Now we might have to beat Valimar to advance. Not that we can't- but it'd be nice if it wasn't absolutely necessary. Annuminas was better than I thought. This is a tough group.

Annuminas fan: Wow, we played great in that first game. I figured it'd be tough advancing when they stuck us in this group, but we've put ourselves in good position. We just can't let Valimar blow us out, though that's easier said than done. This is a tough group.

Brethil fan: We played Valimar, and now we have to play Angband? This group sucks.

As the first game between Annuminas and Valimar kicked off, the Angband crowd cheered against both enthusiastically. They wanted Annuminas to lose because of the way they had spoiled Angband's opener, and they wanted Valimar to lose because they were sitting in first place and were likely to be Angband's toughest test.

But the wishes of the crowd did not seem to impact the game as both teams played smart and solid football to start off. At 20 minutes Earendil made a beautiful longshot off the pass from Orome and Valimar took the 1-0 lead. For the next twenty minutes they traded shots, but none of them were particularly threatening. But then at the 43 minute mark Tilion made a sudden move behind the defense on the left side and Eonwe crossed to him perfectly for the header to make it 2-0 Valimar going into halftime.

The Angband crowd buzzed loudly during the intermission. Annuminas was not playing poorly- Valimar just looked a bit better and they weren't making any mistakes. "Boy- I'm not looking forward to our next game," said one orc to the other. "If this team can paste the team that tied us, we're in trouble."

As the second half progressed it was more of the same, with the two sides playing solidly but Valimar still getting better chances. But then at minute 67 the game changed when Valimar finally made a mistake. Alatar made an ill advised pass from deep in his own zone and Argeleb intercepted it and sent it forward to Arantar who had alertly charged forward. Arantar outfought Ulmo for the ball, put a move on Pallando and placed a kick just out of Ungolient's reach to bring the score to 2-1.

The Angband fans felt better after that, perceiving that Valimar was not invincible. As the clock ran down Valimar controlled the ball well and didn't attempt to stretch their lead. Annuminas began pressing them intensely and at minute 79 it nearly paid off as Valandur stole the ball away fairly deep in the zone and rocketed a shot that Ungolient barely pushed aside.

After that Valimar decided it would be wiser to stretch the field and put the ball in the offensive zone. But at minute 85 Annuminas shocked the world for the second time in as many games. The goalie Arvedui caught a rocket from Tulkas and immediately boomed it down the field. Valandur beat Valimar to the ball and took off right around Orome and passed it to Araphor. Araphor split through Radagast and Alatar, somehow maintaining control of the ball, and passed it back to Valandur who had run past Pallando. Valandur controlled the pass without ever breaking stride and forced Ulmo to commit to him and passed beautifully back to Araphor for a one on one with the goalie.

The Annuminas section of the stadium exploded as Araphor forced the ball in past Ungolient to equalize with under five minutes left, while the Valimar fans threw up their hands in frustration. The game ended as a tie, with both teams still in the hunt for the playoffs.

Annuminas 2-2 Valimar
shots 11-11
on target 5-6
GOALS:
*Valimar, 20 (Earendil- Orome)
*Valimar, 43 (Tilion- Eonwe)
*Annuminas, 67 (Argeleb- Arantar)
*Annuminas, 85 (Araphor- Valandur)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Annuminas- Arveleg
*Valimar- Orome

After seeing Valimar and Annuminas pick up only one point, the supporters of Angband were eager to see their team pick up 3 points in the standings and hold their destiny in their own hands.

As Angband took the field Uldor and Ulfast were glaring, Ancalagon and Carcharoth were roaring, and the Balrogs looked murderous. Everyone knew that Melkor had given the team a tongue lashing after the last game and it appeared that the team had taken it to heart and were determined to produce a good result in the game.

During the first half it was obvious that Melkor had focused on defense during his pregame pep talk. Angband at times seemed to give the ball to Brethil purposefully just to showcase their defense. By the half Brethil had only managed two weak shots on goal and two off-liners. Despite the lack of scoring the crowd seemed pleased and trusted Melkor to get it done in the second half, and Angband didn't disappoint.

Straight out of the locker room Angband went on the attack and started firing shots at the goal. At minute 52 Balrog #6 sent in a corner and Gothmog kicked it in off the goalie's hands and the crowd screamed its approval.

Angband kept the pressure up and Brethil was unable to counter, though their defense put up a stiff fight. But it wasn't enough as in minute 78 Angband scored again- this time it was Ulfast punching in a rebound from Melkor's shot off the post.

As the clock ticked down and Angband continued to shut down Brethil, the crowd went into full celebration mode. They were no longer worried in the least about the final round of games. Their team was awesome, capable of playing perfectly when the situation called for it. Angband was the force to be reckoned with in the tournament.

Angband 2-0 Brethil
shots 15-6
on target 7-3
GOALS:
*Angband, 52 (Gothmog- Balrog #6)
*Angband, 78 (Ulfast- Melkor)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Angband- Balrog #5, Uldor
*Brethil- Dorlas

[Nogrod]

The great city of Gondolin showed it’s shining and smiling face to both the visitors and the residents alike on day 2 of the tournament. Of all the groups it felt that it was here everyone was gathering under the banners of friendship and fair competition. There had been no street fights or other serious incidents of violence but elves, people and dwarves dwelt the busy streets carrying their flags, singing their chants and maybe exchanging a few playful rants with the supporters of other teams. This was the sunshine group.

But the setting was the same as in so many groups before this one. The losers of the first matches were meeting first fighting for not to lose and the winners of round one were contesting each other to secure their place in the play-offs.

The Eldar of Tuna had taken a beating from the home team and were not amused. Even if their main goal was now Erebor they had to win the Gondor team first. It would be unheard of and a real shame if they couldn’t make it to the play-offs. But the Gondor supporters were not at all ready to accept the setting of the match widely echoed by the media. Gondor hadn’t fallen, but the host city had. And they should be more alive and accustomed to these eastern shores than the western snobs they were facing.

But even if the Gondorians played well and made no cardinal mistakes it was clear which was the better team in the game. The Tuna offence was just too good for the Gondorian defence, especially Miriel, Finwe and Nerdanel were only too fast and tricky.

After the initial offence, that lead first to Mahtan scoring 1-0 from almost 40 meters with a terrifying blast and then Miriel heading in a corner for 2-0, the game got a little more even as the Tuna team seemed to draw some breath for the rest of the first half.

The Gondorians came bravely to the second period and at 52nd minute they narrowed the lead deservedly. And the goal was a beautiful one. Five meters from the box Valacar was clearly going to pass the ball rightwards to lord Imrahil who was making a run behind the Tuna defence. Elenwe and Guile rushed in to cut the line of the pass when Valacar suddenly stopped and chipped the ball left past Ingwe and straight to the boot of Faramir who made a beautiful one-touch shot to the opposite upper corner leaving Orodreth totally immobilised.

But the Tuna team was not easily shaken and only seven minutes after the Gondorian goal they went further away with a nice run-through by Nerdanel and Finwe. Finally Nerdanel unselfishly passed the ball to Finwe even if she could have put the ball in herself over Beregond trying to make a flying catch too late. It was an easy task for Finwe to just pass the ball in.

Tuna had cleared the obstacle and Gondor supporters were understandably disappointed, but after an hour had passed there was no sense of bitterness left as the good spirit of the host-city had eased the pain. “The next time we’ll do it!” answered a Gondor-supporter to the Arda Kicker –magazine’s journalist with a wineglass in his hand.

Gondor 1-3 Tuna
shots 10-17
on target 4-9
GOALS:
*Tuna, 14 (Mahal- Finwe)
*Tuna, 21 (Miriel- Finarfin)
*Gondor, 52 (Faramir- Valacar)
*Tuna, 59 (Finwe- Nerdanel)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Gondor- Valacar
*Tuna- Egalmoth



Once again there was no question, which was the main game this evening. Both the Erebor team and its fans had gathered a lot of self-confidence after beating Gondor but that was not the whole story. For underneath the amiable surface it had all through the days been clear that the Ereborians were the odd-one’s out in the great city bursting with elves and men. They felt they were the strangers and even the Lake Town fans had met a wall of indifference in pubs and other public venues after it had been revealed they were fans of Erebor. But in a way that made them feel even greater togetherness and fighting spirit. But the home crowd was really beating it’s drums.

The game was a good one and the teams seemed to be quite even in all other areas but in between the poles of the goal – and Turgon outshone all the other defenders in stamina and alertness in defence. Both teams had a magnificient attack and that resulted in lots of shots and causes for both anxiety and joy to the supporters of both teams.

Gondolin started the scoring at 34th minute as the beautiful combination of the fast and furious Eol and Maeglin passed through the little rigid Erebor defence. It had been clear from the very beginning that the Erebor team had Maeglin under a special guard as he was so intimidating when he got the ball, and it seemed that once he got it there were results on the scoreboard.

But before the half time Erebor managed to score an equalizer. It was a nice pass from Dain that reached Smaug who had rushed to the Gondolin post and just squashed the ball in. Tuor, who had played a fabulous game before that, had no chance.

But even if the game went on in a balanced way the goalie-play of Tuor and specifically Turgon’s great performances gave the home team the momentum they needed. On 68th minute the crowd burst out with much anticipated joy as Maeglin finally got the ball unharassed – after a nice dribbling by Idril drawing the defenders to her – and hammered the ball in from the bottom of his heart. One could see the relief that shone from the face of the great forward who had been pinned down for most of the match by a staunch guarding.

It was a night of endless singing and cheering as the home team had secured their place in the play-offs. But both the Erebor and Tuna fans were having a sleepless night as all would depend on the match between the two sides on the last round.

Erebor 1-2 Gondolin
shots 15-14
on target 7-6
GOALS:
*Gondolin, 34 (Eol- Maeglin)
*Erebor, 40 (Smaug- Dain)
*Gondolin, 68 (Maeglin- Idril)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Erebor- Nain, Smaug
*Gondolin- Galdor, Idril


------
E GONDOLIN

Erebor – Gondor 2-1
Gondolin – Tuna 3-2

Gondor – Tuna 1-3
Erebor – Gondolin 1-2

1. Gondolin 5-3 6
2. Tuna 5-4 3
3. Erebor 3-3 3
4. Gondor 2-5 0

Last matches:
Tuna – Erebor
Gondolin – Gondor

[Nogrod]

Sorry it took so long... but I really had my hands full.



The MEFA (Middle Earth Football Association) had laid strict conditions for the hosting organization in Mordor for the games to continue there after the events of the first day of games. There would be a strict ban on any weapons brought to the stadium. At first the organisers thought it was a bad joke, but after they realised the MEFA was serious about it, they had no other option but to try and execute the claim.

Naturally it provoked a fiery opposition. It had been the unalianable right of any orc to carry a personal weapon; a sword, a scimitar, a knife, an axe, a flail… since times immemorial. It had been sanctified by their founding father! It could not be taken from them for such a petty thing as some football tournament. Many orc-youth organizations – and conservative groups – threathened with a massacre of all the foreigners, if the ruling would not be withheld. But finally the PR-campaigns did their work. With campaigns like “Soccer is for sissies!” and “Leave your weapon for two hours, get to see Mordor invade the two towers!”, and the like, the organizers managed to divide the populace into those ready to yield their arms for the time of the match and to those who would never do it but would stay away from all the events as football was such a loser’s thing.

In the beginning though it seemed the campaigns had totally failed from the football point of view as the stadium was almost empty when the first game began. But the foreigners at place – as well as the handful of Mordorians – got to see an interesting match.

A football game consists of two halves so it is scarce to see two teams that both think they need to play just one. But that was the script of this game.

On the first half it looked like the Minas Tirith players were still sleeping or hadn’t realised there was a game going on. Moria’s waves of attacks fell on Minas Tirith defence one after another with irresistible force while Minas Tirith was in no position to give a counter attack even a try. And even in defence the Minas Tirithians felt like they were going in slow motion. Some fans even thought it was dwarven magic or poisoning of some sort.

Be what it may, but the Moria team stacked a two goal lead on the first half having a total control over the field. First Azog flied forwards to head a long pass by Durin into the back of the net at the 19th minute. At 41st minute Balin advanced to the end line and sneakily passed backwards to an empty spot into which Durin’s Bane had advanced while the defenders were trying to tie down Azog and Durin who were rushing to the goal. Left relatively unchallenged near the goal it was no problem for Durin’s Bane to add Moria’s lead into 2-0. The Mordorian crowd got a little interested with that goal and they cheered. It was clear Durin's Bane was one of their favourites.

But Minas Tirith came to the second half as a newborn team. The fans thought it had to be due to the dwarven potion’s effect finally wearing down while some more objective spectators just thought their coach had pushed them about enough during the interval. But then again the Moria team seemed to be overconfident relying on their lead and an already secured victory. It became a mirror-image of the first half.

Minas Tirith kept on attacking and Moria defences were in trouble. And after being shaken they found it hard to find the rhythm of the game again. At 63rd minute Earnur made the considerable amount of the scarce number of spectators to cheer and sing wildly by tossing the ball in from close quarters after Mardil had nicely drawn both the remaining defender Oin and the Watcher away and passed the ball to him in front of an empty goal.

On 78th minute Bolg got his second card and was commanded out from the game. That was greeted with loud whistling and throwing in of some sneaked-in cold steel. Bolg seemed to be one of the small orc-crowd’s favourites along with Durin’s Bane and the Great Goblin. As the incident was short-lived and no players or referees got hurt the game was allowed to continue.

Playing shorthanded made the Moria team to draw even lower and trying to only defend but Minas Tirith had now the spirit to press forwards. On 81st minute they took a nice advantage of their numbers and zig-zagged the whole field making the defence run and in the end leaving Mardil to finish a nice goal from around the penalty spot.

The game ended even and both teams were in a way happy about it. Minas Tirith for coming up from two goals behind and Moria for holding the one point in the end. But looking at the performances of the teams of this group it is hard to foresee a place in the play-offs for either team.

Minas Tirith 2-2 Moria
shots 11-11
on target 4-5
GOALS:
*Moria, 19 (Azog- Durin)
*Moria, 41 (Durin's Bane- Balin)
*Minas Tirith, 63 (Earnur- Mardil)
*Minas Tirith, 81 (Mardil- Boromir I)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Minas Tirith- Denethor II, Earnil II
*Moria- Durin's Bane, Bolg
RED CARDS:
*Moria- Bolg, 78 (second yellow)



Slowly the arena started filling up. The disaster the organizers had feared seemed to fade away. The game of the home team seemed to arouse enough attention and interest that the house could after all get filled – even without the weapons allowed in the stadium. And the adversaries were none other than Hithlum, those humans and elves the Mordorians had a lot to pay back from history and whom they in a way revered as great enemies. And after all Turin – or “Black Boots” as he was known – , Hurin, Huor, Fingon, Fingolfin… they were all household names in Mordor… It’s futile to say the heroes of Hithlum stood firm and proud before the game but names like The Witch King and Gothmog aroused both awe and decisiveness in them. All was set for a truly great game.

“We have precedents to this game what comes to those elves and the men who have met our side!” shouted a seemingly learned orc going in with a host of friends. “We’ll kill’em like we’ve beforr!” yelled another, a less sophisticated one. But the mood of the home crowd was clear and definitive. The following two hours would show whether the precedents had any value today.

It was a great game. And the almost full arena filled slowly to it’s limits as the word started spreading what a play there was in the field; the excitement, the beauty of the team play, the individual stars making astonishing feats, the struggle, the tension… The organisers were more than delighted and even the MEFA was content.

The home crowd got what it wanted at 23rd minute when the Mouth dribbled brilliantly Galdor and Marach from their posts and then left the ball, running himself forwards and taking the defenders with him for the crucial second. He knew Khamul would be following him and he did. And Khamul blasted the ball into the net without anyone being able to do anything about it. The Mordorian crowd went just wild but this time they were not trying to kill anyone but started a forty-thousand voices strong low-roaring chant that would have frozen the blood of any free man, elf or dwarf.

But the Hithlum heroes were not so easily beaten. On the contrary, their attacks started to pound the Mordor defence even harder and more frequent they had before. Even if the Mordor team had it’s chances as well, Hithlum was now pressing and just before the half time they finally managed to equalize the game. And what a goal it was! The father and the son gave a real show how to do it!

Hurin got the ball ball from his grandpa in the middlefield and played a nice wall-pass with Angrod to get rid of the middlefielders on him. By the pressure of Nazgul #7 and Shagrat he was forced to run forwards all the way up to the end line. But just as everyone was anticipating a high pass to the center and to Fingolfin rushing in towards the goal Hurin chipped the ball over Nazgul #7 and plunged from between the Nazgul’s feet to grasp the control of the ball again for the fraction of the second he needed to pass it by ground diagonally to his son who had just scared the Valar out of Shagrat and run over him following his dad. Shelob had already positioned herself to catch a header from Fingolfin and was deliberately late. But there was still Gothmog rushing down between Turin and the goal. Getting the ball Turin stopped calmly. Gothmog had been anticipating a straight shot and pounced himself on the coming ball only realising in mid-air there was no shot. He came tumbling down face on to the grass and Turin banged the ball in before Shelob had time to throw her web.

The home crowd went silent but it in a way appreciated the way the goal was made. The football-mania had bitten them.

Both coaches had clearly told their team in the interval that an even result was good for them and had required the teams to play easy and carefully. That kind of game – accompanied by the loud boo’s of the home crowd - lasted only five first minutes of the second half. Then Fingolfin was given a yellow card for quite an innocent situation where he tried to reach the ball with Gothmog and that cheered the crowd and angered the visiting team.

Suddenly the game was alive again and Hithlum really pressed – allowing the home team nice counter attacks. That was crowd-pleasing football! But the home crowd was silenced for a moment by a goal for the Hithlum team when Fingon just forced the ball in after trying it twice in the mess-up and confusion in front of the Mordor goal.

But the home crowd started now goading their own team. They wanted to see performances like the Black Boots and his father had done. And with the ever louder crowd, player tiredness and loosened discipline the individuals started to shine out from the others.

Turin had a few great chances as he imposed his will upon the Mordor defenders making them always back off a bit, but at the other end the Witch King started to take a big role as well. He was clearly annoyed about the scoreline and the Hithlum defenders were having hard times with him. At 73rd minute The Witch King managed to scare two defenders out of his way at the edge of the box and was about to boot a real killer when Angrod ran to help and tackled him sliding from the back. The referee was firm. A yellow card to Angrod and a free kick to Mordor just from the edge of the box.

A host of Mordor players settled behind the ball but in the end it was the Witch King who took the shot. And what a shot it was! It almost teared the net apart after the defenders in the wall had just tried to duck away from the blast. There was no chance Huor could have even tried to move in front of the shot – and it was questionable would he have even wished to do that had he time to think about it. The home crowd cheered and chanted.

And believe it or not after the game ended even the crowd went out of the stadium not so much willing to fight but to cheer and to have a beer. As usual the visiting fans poured out from the arena only after the homeside fans had left the stadium but there were no fighting mobs to greet them. The orcs were having fun after a great game, even if they didn’t win.

The magic of football?

Hithlum 2-2 Mordor
shots 16-16
on target 8-6
GOALS:
*Mordor, 23 (Khamul- Mouth)
*Hithlum, 42 (Turin- Hurin)
*Hithlum, 59 (Fingon- Turin)
*Mordor, 74 (Witch King)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Hithlum- Gundor, Fingolfin, Angrod
*Mordor- Nazgul #3, Nazgul #5


------------------
G MORDOR

Hithlum – Moria 3-1
Minas Tirith – Mordor 1-2

Minas Tirith – Moria 2-2
Hithlum – Mordor 2-2

1. Hithlum 5-3 4
2. Mordor 4-3 4
3. Minas Tirith 3-4 1
4. Moria 3-5 1

The last games:
Hithlum – Minas Tirith
Mordor – Moria

[skip spence]

Originally Posted by the phantom

Armenelos stunned the crowd in the 12th minute as Ar Pharazon punched in a pass from Tar Ancalimon...

Manwe called a time out for Taniquetil

Football must be quite different in Arda. Punching the ball and calling time outs...

However, had it been Taniqetil I can see how a goal by the 'hand of god' would have been allowed...

Armenelos 3-0 Taniquetil

What a shocker! Time for Manwe to make his signature move perhaps, that is, begging Eru for guidance and assistance. Obviously the Valar can't perform on their own.

[Nogrod]

The Arda-Kicker Magazine has given its points after the second round of matches. And behold, more players make it to the standings! The Arda Kicker results after the main rounds will be published after the third round of the games has been played...

Five stars go to:
The Barrow Wight of Breeland
Ar Adunakhor of Armenelos
Carcaroth of Angband
Elrond of Rivendell

Three stars will go to:
Ar Pharazon of Armenelos
Tom Bombadill of Breeland
Mardil of Minas tirith
Maedhros of Formenos
Maeglin of Gondolin
Turin of Hithlum
Legolas of Mirkwood
Finwë of Tuna
the phantom of Tol-In-Gaurhoth
Sauron of Tol-In-Gaurhoth
Turgon of Gondolin

One star will go to:
Olwe of Alqualonde
Ebor of Amon Rhûdh
Grithnir of Amon Rhûdh
Ulfast of Angband
Argeleb of Annuminas
Elros of Armenelos
Aragost of Fornost
Tuor of Gondolin
Eöl of Gondolin
Galadriel of Lothlorien
Amroth of Lothlorien
Grishnak of Mirkwood
Beren of Nargothrond
Eldacar of Osgiliath
Pelendur of Umbar
Tilion of Valimar
Earendil of Valimar

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Prediction for last matches:

• Group A:
  • Fornost < Rómena
    Do or die for both Númenórean teams. I think Rómena will win, considering their better overall performance so far.
    
    
  • Rivendell >>> Michel Delving
    Better luck next tourney, Halflings.
  
  
• Group B:
  • Breeland < Tol-in-Gaurhoth
    Tol-in-Gaurhoth pulls off goals when it matters.
    
    
  • Edoras > Mirkwood
    If Tol-in-Gaurhoth wins, all Edoras needs is a draw to advance. It would be interesting to see Scatha play against the descendants of Fram.
  
  
• Group C:
  • Formenos >>> Isengard
    After their last match, can anyone doubt Formenos sweeping their group?
    
    
  • Doriath > Alqualondë
    Another do-or-die match, this time between two Teleri teams. Statistics and gameplay points to Doriath winning.
  
  
• Group D:
  • Lothlórien <<< Nargothrond
    It should have been an exciting battle of the siblings, but Nargothrond has a vastly superior team.
    
    
  • Osgiliath > Umbar
    Osgiliath is just playing better, but it could end in a draw, too.
  
  
• Group E:
  • Erebor < Túna
    Could go either way, but I'm hoping for an Elven victory.
    
    
  • Gondolin >>> Gondor
    Sweep-sweep-sweep!
  
  
• Group F:
  • Armenelos >>> Helm's Deep
    Not even close.
    
    
  • Amon Rhûd < Taniquetil
    Third must-win match. Taniquetil could get into trouble with its playing style, but the Valar are better players than Men. I hope they use the skill advantage.
  
  
• Group G:
  • Hithlum >>> Minas Tirith
    Zzzz.
    
    
  • Mordor > Moria
    The Black Land playing much better than expected. They'll beat the Black Chasm, no problem.
  
  
• Group H:
  • Annúminas >>> Brethil
    Having tied with both Ainu-heavy teams, Angband and Valimar, Annúminas has what it takes to beat Brethil easily.
    
    
  • Angband < Valimar
    Too close to call properly, but I think Tulkas and Arien > Morgoth, so that's that for me.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

I've edited my post for those games that lacked analysis.

[the phantom]

--GROUP A--

The home fans in Rivendell were in a jovial mood heading into the final day of play. Their team had already clinched, and they had an exciting afternoon match to look forward to between Fornost and Romena.

It was do or die for the Rangers and Numenoreans. If either team won they would advance. In the case of a tie Romena would be moving on. And so it was that the Romena fans expected a careful and solid game from their team, where as Fornost supporters expected to see their team go for the win and lay it all on the line.

Early on that certainly seemed to be the case with Fornost trying to push the action. In minute 33 Arahael broke free with the ball and drew everyone to him and hung a great pass up for Aranarth who headed in the goal for the early lead. Romena attempted to equalize before the half, but the Fornost defense held and kept the lead.

After the half Romena kept up the pressure and in the 59th minute they got the equalizer with Tar Palantir finding Isildur who gunned in a hard and accurate shot from out front. Romena turned conservative after that, and in the 76th minute Fornost made them pay, deflecting a pass away deep in Romena's half. Arathorn tracked down the deflection and sent a quick pass to Arahael who had dashed in, and he stopped the ball dead and went around the defender and forced the ball into the goal off of the fingertips of the goalie.

The lead held for the Rangers and as the game ended they celebrated at midfield, while the regal Numenoreans shuffled off the fields with their eyes on the ground.

Fornost 2-1 Romena
shots 10-9
on target 4-3
GOALS:
*Fornost, 33 (Aranarth- Arahael)
*Romena, 59 (Isildur- Tar Palantir)
*Fornost, 76 (Arahael- Arathorn)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Fornost- Amlaith, Arahad
*Romena- Vardamir, Anarion

When the team from Rivendell took the field the crowd greeted them with great enthusiasm. The hobbit team received cheers as well, and the hobbits acknowledged the crowd with quick waves and bows. Group play was pretty well over for the both of them, with Rivendell already certain to advance and Michel Delving already packing their bags, but they felt that the paying crowd deserved to be compensated with a good match.

The hobbits made a couple of nice long passes into the forward field, but Rivendell's defense largely denied them possession or took it away quickly. On the other end the hobbits played a solid game, but they weren't quite up to the level of the Rivendell offensive players. In minute 28 Boromir blasted in a free kick for the lead. And then shortly before halftime it was Boromir again coming through, only this time he found a wide open Aragorn with a nice pass and Aragorn booted it into the goal for the 2-0 lead.

The second half the hobbits tried their best early on, but still couldn't crack the Rivendell defenders. Eventually at around minute 70 the hobbits slowed it down and so in turn did Rivendell, and the teams just dribbled out the last minutes of the game and shook hands. Rivendell will head into the playoffs having yet to give up a single goal.

Michel Delving 0-2 Rivendell
shots 5-10
on target 2-5
GOALS:
*Rivendell, 28 (Boromir II)
*Rivendell, 43 (Aragorn II- Boromir II)
YELLOW CARDS: Elladen
*Michel Delving- Lotho, Gaffer
*Rivendell- Elladen

[the phantom]

--GROUP C--

The arena in Doriath was largely vacant for the first match of the day between Formenos and Isengard. Formenos was already assured a spot in the playoffs and the residents of Doriath had no desire to see them finish off the group, which they were quite certain would happen against the winless Isengard who was already eliminated from the playoffs.

Isengard started off the match looking like they were playing to win a championship, with every player giving it every bit of effort they could muster. Formenos looked surprised, but not displeased, and proceeded to steal the ball away and work it right down the field to Feanor, who dribbled circles around a couple of Isengard defenders and last minute gave it up to Aredhel who nudged in an easy goal.

Isengard kept up the intensity, but Formenos handled it easily and forced them into a rushed long shot which sailed well over the goal. Formenos took the ball and sent it around and around the midfield while the Isengard defenders chased it, always well behind. Then Formenos started taking huge blasts at the goal from far out, almost as if they were having a fun day of practice. Maglor and Amrod both hit one of the posts, and the few Formenos fans applauded wildly as if they had actually meant to do it.

At minute 29 Aredhel appeared trapped in a corner but burst through the defenders towards the goal, looking like she'd take it all the way herself. But before reaching the sidebar she sent a high pass out front to Maedhros the tall, and he used his superior height to rise up and head the ball uncontested past Beechbone for the 2-0 lead.

After that Isengard seemed beaten and they allowed Formenos to coast into halftime. Coming out after halftime it was obvious that Formenos desired to continue coasting, but Isengard showed a bit of spirit and started trying to press again. Formenos appeared annoyed by this and Celebrimbor actually hollered at Saruman, "Knock it off- it's over!" But Isengard continued to defend doggedly.

Then Feanor began playing in earnest and calling for the ball. His grandson Celebrimbor sent one downfield for him and Feanor beat out two defenders for the ball, sprinted past another, and faked out the final defender and pounded it past the helpless goalie. He then ran over by Saruman and just stared at him, as if to say "Do you want us to do that again?" After that Isengard folded and allowed Formenos to boot the ball around the rest of the game, finishing up a dominating group play performance.

Formenos 3-0 Isengard
shots 15-4
on target 8-1
GOALS:
*Formenos, 7 (Aredhel- Feanor)
*Formenos, 29 (Maedhros- Aredhel)
*Formenos, 59 (Feanor- Celebrimbor)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Formenos- Caranthir
*Isengard- Skinbark, Quickbeam

The stadium filled well before the start of the second game and the crowd buzzed nervously. It was a must-win game for the host team, and Alqualonde was no pushover. Both teams felt like they were a quality team worthy of advancing to the playoffs, and both came out playing their best.

The crowd screamed early as Doriath took the offensive and scored only 15 minutes in. But Alqualonde rose to the challenge and took it right at the host, and equalized just a few minutes later. The crowd did not grow quiet however, and began various chants in support of their team.

At minute 41 the crowd was rewarded as Dior intercepted a bad pass and fired a quick long shot which snuck into the top corner of the goal. After the half both teams played evenly for the first bit, but then Beleg made a deep run and Elwe threaded a perfect pass to him. Beleg proceeded to kick it beautifully at the far post beyond the reach of Olwe and Doriath was out to a two goal lead. The crowd screamed more loudly than ever, finally feeling safe for the first time.

But Alqualonde was not finished yet. At minute 70 the lovely Uinen led her husband beautifully and Osse converted to pull within a goal. But that was all the scoring they could manage, and the home crowd left the stadium singing, wondering who their opponent would be in the first round of the playoffs.

Alqualonde 2-3 Doriath
shots 12-14
on target 5-7
GOALS:
*Doriath, 15 (Mablung-Nellas)
*Alqua, 29 (Gil-Galad- Bilbo)
*Doriath, 41 (Dior)
*Doriath, 59 (Beleg- Elwe)
*Alqua, 70 (Osse- Uinen)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Alqualonde- Eriol, Osse
*Doriath- Elurin, Saeros

[skip spence]

--GROUP B--

When morning broke in Edoras rain was falling, but as the evening progressed and with kick off only hours away the sun suddenly burst throught the clouds, illuminating a glorious rainbow stretching over the snow-clad mountains in the south. The gilded ornaments of Meduseld Stadium were glimmering majestically and on it’s pinnacles, high above the crowd below, the green and white banners of the home team were flying proudly. It was a beautiful day for football.

The sell-out crowd had two matches to look forward to tonight. First Breeland, in desperate need of a win, was to play already qualified Tol-In-Gaurhoth. It was the second match the home crowd was most eager to watch however, as their beloved Edoras was to secure a spot in the play-offs against Mirkwood. A draw would do it for the Rohirrim, and few doubted they would succeed front of their passionate supporters.

The biggest pre-match story ahead of the first game was the alledged excursion into the Path of the Dead that some of the Tol-In-Gaurhoth players were reported to have done. After having secured their place in knockout-stages of the tournament, there were reports of a wet celebration in their Inn near the Hornburg. A waiter at the party has confirmed that a few prominent players, of which Saruon and The Phantom stood out, were bragging about ‘showing those half-baked ghouls just who should be afraid of who in this valley’. Whether they went ahead with their plans isn’t known, but some pundits commented that they should feel right at home inside that dreadful passage.

As the stadium filled up for the first match of the evening, there was no sign of weariness on the faces of the Tol-In-Gaurhoth players, who looked very relaxed as they entered the field. There opponents Breeland seemed tense though, as they were pressed to win in order to give themselves a possibility to progress. As the match kicked off, it soon became apparent that this would not be an easy task. Offensively, star men Tom Bombadill and The Barrow Wight were given very little space to operate in and at the back it looked even worse for the Breelanders, as their diminutive backline struggled against the aerial strenght of Nogrod, deployed as a targetman for the day. His lay-offs often picked out the runs of the Phantom and Sauron, who created havoc in the northeners defence. Breeland tried to play more agressively, pushing up their back four, but this only created more openings for Tol-In-Gaurhoth, who very nearly took the lead when The Phantom picked out Sauron’s perfectly timed run, giving him a one-to-one opportunity with Old Man Willow, who managed to pull off a good save. Sauron wasn’t to be denyed for long though, and in the 22nd minute he broke the deadlock with a thunderous drive from just outside the area. Old Man Willow looked rooted to his spot as the ball rocketed past him and into the net.

Now Breeland’s captain Bombadill tried to rally his troops and he was whisteling a merry tune as he powered past Lhuna down the right. The smile on his face turned upside down however as he tumbled to the ground in agony. Lhuna appeared to have grabbed his beard, and ref Boro88 had to separate the two before showing the Tol-In-Gaurhoth defender a well deserved yellow card. Minutes later crowd favourite Eomer earned another booking by sending The Barrow Wight flying thought the air with a harsh challange. Any suggestions that Tol-In-Gaurhoth would take it easy and save their strength for the later stages of the tournament could be easily dismissed. They were really banging up their opponents who were beginning to look a bit scared at this point.

At the start of the second half Breeland once again tried to rally, but they were immidiately punished. Formendacil expertly controlled a long ball from Hookbill and advanced down the left. His pinpoint cross was met by the head of Nogrod, and directed into the net past a hapless Old Man Willow. It was a good effort by the big Finn, but Nob and Bob really could have done a lot better with their marking. At this point the match was all but over, and Tol-In-Gaurhoth were happy just to knock the ball around and keep possesion. When the final whistle sounded, Breeland had not managed a single quality effort on goal. Bombadill and The Barrow.Wight had been completely neutralised by the Tol-In-Gaurhoth-defence, led by the excellent centrebacks Gwathagor and Cailin.

Breeland 0-2 Tol-In-Gaurhoth
shots 7-14
on target 3-7
GOALS:
*TIG, 22 (Sauron- the phantom)
*TIG, 50 (Nogrod- Formendacil)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Breeland- Goldberry, Harry, Ferny
*TIG- Nogrod, Lhuna, Eomer



The disapointment of failing to hold on to a second half lead against Tol-In-Gaurhoth was all but forgotten among the Edoras fans, who, judging by the singing and taunting in the streets and bars during the day, seemed certain of victory; a conviction no doubt boosted by copious amounts of mead consumed during the day. Most of their taunting was directed at Scata, the Mirkwood star striker, who had had a torrid time last time he played the Rohirrim. Mirkwood were seen as a patch-work team by most pundits, and they were disregarded by the Edoras fans, something which only seemed to please team captain Thranduil. “Being the underdogs just gives us the peace we need to prepare for the game” he said to a reporter prior to the game. “We have a good chance of progressing in this competition and are confident in our abilities”.

The crowd roared as the two teams finally made it onto the pitch. Last of all Eorl the Young came out of the tunnel and the noice reached a crescendo. The Mirkwood players were not daunted however, and when play came underway it was they who made the brighter start. Although Edoras tried to attack they looked a little nervous, often losing possession and allowing Mirkwood to counter-attack. Fair-haired Legolas had a few good efforts early on, and the female fans in the stands were swooning. As the half progressed however, The Rohirrim, urged on by the home crowd, started to take over the match. It payed off in the 28th minute when Muzgash and Gorbag allowed a hopeful long ball from Eowyn to drop behind them, giving Eorl the chance to steal in and finish with applause. The crowd exploded in extasy.

The joy was not to be long-lived though, as Mirkwood equalised in the 38th minute of play, though a deflected shot by captain Thranduil. The nerves were once again showing in the faces of the Edoras players and they could well have been two goals down at half time, had it not been for a pair of very classy saves by Theoden, on both occations denying Scata in front of goal.

The second half was pretty much a mirror image of the first. Edoras tried to come forward, and did create quite a few chances, but they looked anxious, more afraid of losing than hungry to win. In the 52nd minute Legolas hit the bar with a swirling shot, and the home supporters grew quieter. A draw would do it for them, but they were getting nervous now, and would have prefered a bigger margin of error. In the 58th minute the home team was handed a gift though, as a weak back-pass by Grishnakh was intercepted by Eowyn, who rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into the open net. Thranduil could not have been happy with the defending as once again the Orcs had been all too negligent.

Alas, the party atmosphere in the stands wasn’t to last long this time either. In the 66th minute Mirkwood equalised once again and what a goal it was. Thranduil aimed a corner towards his son Legolas who met it with an unstoppable volley from some 35 yards out, leaving Theoden no chance to save. Although renowned for his long distance projectiles, Legolas can’t have scored many better than this. Sensational! The home crowd was stunned, while the few Mirkwood fans present (mostly unruly spiders) screamed out their joy.

Now Mirkwoood were going all out for the win, as Edoras failed to mobilise a third time, falling back deep into their own half. Their defensive outlook seemed to work though as Mirkwood struggeled to create chances, but the Edoras players could never allow themselves to back down too much and give the dreaded Legolas a chance to shoot. The Edoras penalty area was starting to resemble a war zone now, as Mirkwood pushed more and more players forward. In the 80th minute the pressure finally payed off when Mirkwood were awarded a penalty kick as Grimbeorn was alledged to have been man-handled inside the area. Inevetably it was Scata who stepped up, and he made no mistake, sending Theoden the wrong way. With a finger to his mouth and a swagger he celebrated the goal in front of the dejected and silent Edoras fans.

The Rohirrim tried to come back into the game, but despite managing a few half-chances, they were never really close to a third goal. Edoras were eliminated in front of their home crowd! As the jubilant Mirkwood players and supporters celebrated, the Edoras players left the pitch with their heads hanging low. They would not sleep well tonight.

Edoras 2-3 Mirkwood
shots 20-22
on target 8-10
GOALS:
*Edoras, 28 (Eorl- Eowyn)
*Mirkwood, 38 (Thranduil- Nazgul #8)
*Edoras, 58 (Eowyn)
*Mirkwood, 66 (Legolas- Thranduil)
*Mirkwood, 80 pen (Scatha)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Edoras- Folcwine, Brytta, Thengel, Folca
*Mirkwood- Muzgash, Grishnakh, Nazgul #8

----------------------
Group B EDORAS

Mirkwood – Tol in Gaurhoth 2-3
Breeland – Edoras 2-3

Breeland – Mirkwood 3-3
Edoras – Tol in Gaurhoth 2-3

Breeland - Tol in Gaurhoth 0-2
Edoras - Mirkwood 2-3

Final Standings:

1. Tol in Gaurhoth 8-4 9pts Q
2. Mirkwood 8-8 4pt Q
3. Edoras 7-8 3pts
4. Breeland 5-8 1pt

[skip spence]

--GROUP D--

Osgilath was bustling as in it’s heydays when the city prepared to host the final matches of group D of the Arda Cup. Two matches were on the schedule and what matches they were! First out was the showdown between Nargothrond and Lothlorien, a match-up between two strong Elven sides, with the much publicized sibling rivallary of Galadriel and Finrod Felagund as the highlight. Later, there was the game all had been anticipating with both exitement and apprehension: the meeting between the home team and their most bitter rivals, the Corsairs of Umbar. The Kin-Strife it was dubbed in the media, and the pre-match comments from both sides certainly lived up to this epithet. “They have polluted their blood with lesser men” said Castamir of Umbar to a MESPN- reporter. “There’s no way they can beat us with half-bloods such as Eldacar in their side”, he continued.

Osgilath on their side accused Umbar of spying on them, in an attempt to reveal tactical plans and set-play variaties. Falastur spoke on a press conference the day before the game: “We have found several cats sneaking around our training facilities and there’s little doubt where they came from. But my dear wife Berúthiel, you shall know your spying will avail to nothing. We will crush you tomorrow”.
"Employing a Nazgul shows they are no better than Mordor", Eärnil added.

As kick-off approached, many wondered whether Galadriel and her Lothlorien would improve from the lacklustre form they had been showing so far, and as the teams took to the field, the determination in the face of the lady was plain to see. Sadly, her winning mentality was once again missing in most of her team-mates, even though Lothlorien still had a theoretic chance to make it into the play-offs. Nargothrond, playing relaxed with nothing to lose, were simply a much better team this night. Led by midfield-maestros Finrod and Glaurung, the latter playing with real fire in his belly, the Beleriand side toyed with their Silvan counterparts. First they brought the tempo down to tire their opponents out chasing the ball around and then, suddenly, a change of pace and an attack with great movement and precision. In fact, Galadriel did well to restrict the Noldo side to two goals only.
The first came after 37 minutes of play, when Gwindor latched on to a pinpoint pass from the elegant Finrod and did well to finish with a low shot, despite the unnerving attention of Gollum grasping after his neck. Finrod himself also got of the scoresheet in the 61th minute, when he beat his sister with a curling right-footed shot from the left that nestled into the far corner. When the match was over, Galadriel looked distraught, and her mood was in no way lightened when Bregolas offered to exchange jerseys.

Lothlorien 0-2 Nargothrond
shots 7-15
on target 3-7
GOALS:
*Nargothrond, 37 (Gwindor- Finrod)
*Nargothrond, 61 (Finrod- Baragund)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Lothorien- Amroth, Nimrodel, Gollum
*Nargothrond- Barahir

When Umbar came out of the tunnel in their black jerseys, the boos and the jeers from the home crowd had to be heard to be believed. Outside of the stadium their bus had been attacked and almost turned over by a bunch of hoolingans ‘playing orc’ and the reception inside of it was no better. But there was a spark in the eyes of Castamir and his team when they huddled onto the pitch, avoiding best as they could the coins and pebbles hurled towards them from above.

As soon as play was underway it was clear this was going to be a match to remember. Osgilath were playing as there were no tomorrow and throwing caution to the wind, totally abandoning their usually so defensive gameplan. Umbar were hard pressed, but played a tactically sound game, trying to hit Osgilath on the break with quick counter-attacks on the flanks. But it was the home team which started best and after having missed two good chances early on Eärnil made the third one count, as he nodded home an Eldacar cross from 5 yards out. Umbar were soon back on level terms though, when Berúthiel, nicknamed the Queen, scored a sensational goal against the run of play. She showed almost cat-like agility when she leaped between two onrushing defenders with the ball between her feet, and finished the move off with a crisp left-footed drive beyond the reach of Romendacil in goal. It was 1-1 at half-time, a result that would see the home team advance to the next round.

It was not long into the second half before Umbar took a shock lead however. Once again “the Queen” was the inspiration for her team, as she beat two defenders and delivered a low ball across goal that was met by Angamaite at the far post for an easy finish. Osgilath were not startled however as there was plenty of time left on the clock and they felt they had the better team. Urged on by their fanatic supporters they played some very nice football too, despite of the pressure. Umbar was holding on though. Eldacar, having been taunted by Castamir for not being a real Numenorian, seemed determined to prove his detractors wrong. By far Osgilath’s best player for the night, he was tormenting the Umbar defence with quick feet and accurate passing. It was fitting that he was the one to bring the home team back on level terms in the 67th minute as he skinned Brodda on the right and dispatched a ferocious low drive from a tight angle. Pelendur in goal probably should have done better with it though, but he allowed it to slip under his arms despite having it pretty well covered.

The remainder of the game would go down to history, as the two teams went at each other with a fury seldom to be seen. Umbar, now needing a goal, tried to feed balls to Berúthiel and Nazgul #9 on the wings, who in turn looked to deliver crosses into the box for the tall Castamir, now often supported by Angamaite and Sangahyando. Osgiliath wouldn’t settle back into defence yet either, and really wanted a win in front of their home crowd. Eldacar looked dangerous everytime he had the ball at his feet, and Eärnil could and perhaps should have scored off one of his passes, but the forward was repeatedly and often unnessesarily caught off-side.
Eärnil was to regret his over-eagerness (something the Nazgul did not fail to point out) as Umbar once again silenced the home crowd. Unseen by his marker, Nazgul #9 managed to open up space for himself, and delivered a cross into the box which was met by Castamir whose bullet header hit the crossbar and went in with nine minutes to play. He pulled the black jersey over his head celebrating, and the crowd was furious when they saw a sceptre printed on his white undershirt.

Time was now running short for the home side, and their play was getting increasingly desperate, with hopeful long balls. Playing on injury time Osgilath finally got the chance they were looking for. Calimehtar’s attempted clearance hit an outstretched leg and fell perfectly for Eldacar, who looked certain to score. But Pelendur made up for his earlier error by making a fantastic save at full stretch, and then another one, as Ostoher followed up on the rebound. That was all Osgilath could muster, and as the referee blowed his whistle the Kin-Strife was over. They had lost. All was lost.

Osgiliath 2-3 Umbar
shots 15-12
on target 8-6
GOALS:
*Osgiliath, 27 (Earnil- Eldacar)
*Umbar, 38 (Beruthiel- Fastred)
*Umbar, 53 (Angamaite- Beruthiel)
*Osgiliath, 67 (Eldacar- Falastur)
*Umbar, 81 (Castamir- Nazgul #9)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Osgiliath- Cemendur, Ostoher
*Umbar- Calimehtar, Brodda

-----------------------
D OSGILIATH

Nargothrond – Umbar 3-1
Lothlorien – Osgiliath 0-1

Lothlorien – Umbar 1-1
Nargothrond – Osgiliath 2-1

Osgiliath – Umbar 2-3
Lothlorien - Nargothrond 0-2

Final standings:

1. Nargothrond 7-2 9pts Q
2. Umbar 5-6 4pt Q
3. Osgiliath 4-5 3pts
4. Lothlorien 1-4 1pt

[Nogrod]

It was clear from the early morning hours on that Gondolin was the place to be that day. The whole city was buzzing in anticipation of the day’s matches. The home team had secured their place in the final 16 with stunning performances creating a real football-madness in the city. And there was lot to cheer for the elves who had adopted their kinsmen from the Tuna team as their second favourites.

"The Rock of the Music of Water" -stadium was sold out already before noon and it was bursting with chants, dances and the waving of flags a few hours before the first match of the day. Whatever the Ereborians said about being quietly scorned the general mood was that of peace, love and harmony – and sunshine.

The first twenty minutes of the game between Erebor and Tuna were marked by extra-careful play from both sides. The stakes were high as the winner would get through the next round of games and the losers would be sent home. To Tuna even a draw would suffice. The crowd lived passionately with the game even if it wasn’t any great drama in the beginning. But at 22nd minute the stadium was suddenly silenced. An innocent looking attack turned into a disaster for the Eldar team as Girion released Smaug free to roam. The dragon wiped Elenwe and Guilen out of the way and banged the ball in giving Orodreth no chance.

Even if – and partly just because of – Erebor made it a tough game in the end, and especially Girion, Smaug and Bard were a constant threat on the Eldarin goal, the elves will remember the game as “the game of the founding mothers”. There was no question about the heroines of the game. Though football enthusiasts will remember it also as the game of the founding father. The way Finwë supported his wife and daughter-in-law by attracting the attention of the defenders with his constant dashes to and fro really created the space the women needed to roll their show.

Miriel scored one of the most beautiful goals in the tournament so far at 31st minute volleying the ball into the upper corner of the goal from mid-air. Nerdanel got room for the pass after Finwë had made a distractive run the opposite way drawing Thorin and Thror with him. The great roar and cheer of the crowd must have been heard far outside the vale of Tumladen.

Erebor came to the second half full of energy and their efforts were rewarded at 51st minute when Girion managed to break free with a nice pass behind the defenders by Bard. But after that goal which put Erebor in the lead again the real show started. During the last half an hour it seemed there were only three players in the field and a bunch of statists standing around watching their performances in awe. With a bit more accurate shooting the game might have ended 2-5 or 2-6. Such was the hurricane that devastated the Erebor defences making the crowd go just wild.

Nerdanel’s constant runs into the tip of the attack and the astonishing agility and creativity of the duo supported by the intelligent counter-runs by Finwë were just poison to the bit clumsy and slow dwarven defence. Finally Nerdanel brought the game even on 68th minute after one of the neatest passing-shows seen in "The Rock of the Music of Water" –stadium. Miriel’s winning goal was no poorer. The duo just tore the defence apart and in the end fooled Bain at the goal as well. Either one could have scored the goal but finally Nerdanel offered her mother-in-law the honour of making the winner.

One thing is now certain. Whoever meets the Tuna team the next round will need a lot of feet in their downstairs…

The crowd was more than happy with the result and the singing went on the whole hour the interval between the two games lasted.

Erebor 2-3 Tuna
shots 12-14
on target 6-7
GOALS:
*Erebor, 22 (Smaug- Girion)
*Tuna, 31 (Miriel- Nerdanel)
*Erebor, 51 (Girion- Bard)
*Tuna, 68 (Nerdanel- Miriel)
*Tuna, 77 (Miriel- Nerdanel)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Erebor- Thror, Thrain, Bard
*Tuna- Ingwe

The athmosphere was jubilant as the evening-game began and the crowd got just what it wanted even if the game as such wasn’t a classic at any standards. The two teams were just on so different level in what came to their individual skill and tactical prowess. Though it must be acknowledged that the Gondorians fought hard the first fifty minutes against a far superior opponent. But after Ecthelion turned the numbers at the scoreboard into 3-1 they finally gave up. And the last half an hour was mainly kicking the ball from one to another as both teams had had enough.

Maeglin pulled the home team to a lead on 18th minute with nice header after a freekick given by Eol. Eol himself finished the 2-0 goal after Penlod’s shot deflected back from Minalcar’s back offering him a sudden opportunity he was not hesitant to use.

In the first minutes of the second half Gondorian efforts were finally rewarded with a goal. It was a nice run by lord Imrahil and Faramir from Anardil’s brilliant long pass that resulted in a nice two on one attack and a goal.

But Gondolin wasn’t in a mood for any uncertainties. A nice dribbling by Eol created him the room to pass the ball backwards to onrushing Ecthelion who hammered a real killer into the back of the Gondorian net from 18 meters.

The homecrowd was satisfied with the day and all except a few Ereborians cheered for a great tournament. It had been a great group from which the two best teams had clearly gotten forwards.

Gondolin 3-1 Gondor
shots 15-11
on target 7-5
GOALS:
*Gondolin, 18 (Maeglin- Eol)
*Gondolin, 38 (Eol- Penlod)
*Gondor, 51 (Imrahil- Faramir)
*Gondolin, 59 (Ecthelion- Eol)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Gondolin- Salgant, Penlod
*Gondor- Minalcar, Calmacil


------
E GONDOLIN

Erebor – Gondor 2-1
Gondolin – Tuna 3-2

Gondor – Tuna 1-3
Erebor – Gondolin 1-2

Tuna – Erebor 3-2
Gondolin – Gondor 3-1

1. Gondolin 8-4 9pts. Q
2. Tuna 8-6 6pts. Q
3. Erebor 5-6 3pts.
4. Gondor 3-8 0pts.

[skip spence]

Originally Posted by Nogrod

I
Maeglin pulled the home team to a lead on 18th minute with nice header after a freekick given by Eol. Eol himself finished the 2-0 goal after Penlod’s shot deflected back from Minalcar’s back offering him a sudden opportunity he was not hesitant to use.

Hm. I never should have transfered Eöl. But I must say, I'm really surprised to see the Dark Elf excel under the bright sun of Tumladen, and getting along so well on the pitch with his Noldori teammates.

[the phantom]

--GROUP F--

The first game upon Taniquetil between Armenelos and Helm's Deep sparked little interest among the local football fans. Armenelos was already assured a spot in the playoffs, and Helm's Deep had already bought their tickets for a swan boat back to Middle Earth.

The game everyone was waiting for was the finale between the host Taniquetil and the scrappy patchwork team from Amon Rhud. No one expected Taniquetil to have much trouble with their opponent, but as many pointed out no one expected Taniquetil to have such a close game with Helm's Deep, and certainly not lose 3-0 in their second game. And so it was that though they held a great advantage there was a splinter of fear in the minds of the Taniquetil supporters.

The first game was poorly attended. A very small group of travelers from Rohan was there to cheer on Helm's Deep, and the few Numenoreans who had been allowed into Valinor were cheering for Armenelos. Most of the several thousand Numenoreans who made the trip were denied entry, and thus were on their tall ships gathered around the palantir to watch the contest.

But it wasn't much of a contest at all. After Helm's Deep got off a surprising flurry of shots right in the first couple of minutes, Armenelos took firm control as Ar Pharazon rocketed in his fourth goal of the tournament. Only minutes after that he threatened to score again, only this time after he had drawn everyone to him he chipped it over to Tar Minastir who tapped in the point blank shot for a 2-0 lead. After that Armenelos pretty well coasted through the rest of the game. The only other score was at minute 62 when a Helm's Deep defender mishandled a pass and Tar Minastir pounced on it and banged it home for the final 3-0 tally.

The final whistle sounded and the Numenoreans left the stadium chanting loudly. They had swept the group. They had conquered the blessed realm.

Armenelos 3-0 Helm's Deep
shots 15-7
on target 7-4
GOALS:
*Armenelos, 8 (Ar Pharazon- Tar Ancalimon)
*Armenelos, 20 (Tar Minastir- Ar Pharazon)
*Armenelos, 62 (Tar Minastir)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Armenelos- Tar Atanamir, Tar Telperien
*Helm's Deep- Helm, Goldwine, Fengel

As the start of the second game approached the stadium filled like a water bowl, till the fans were practically spilling over the top edge. Everyone was quite anxious. "We're Taniquetil!" said one. "We shouldn't be playing for our lives in the final match! What's wrong with us?"

But the game kicked off and the fear was dispelled as Taniquetil took immediate control of the ball and began working it systematically around the pitch, looking for the perfect opening. The boys from Amon Rhud had been trained well and had big game experience from their days playing for titles with Turin and Beleg, and they were able to do just enough to keep Taniquetil from getting what they wanted.

But at minute 20 there was a small opening, and Varda rifled a pass to Lorien who tried to redirect it in, but it missed just wide. And then at minute 31 there was yet another golden opportunity, but Manwe's well placed shot was barely saved by Ebor. The crowd groaned collectively. "Convert already!" screamed a drunk Maia.

And he didn't have to wait long. At minute 40 Thorondor swooped down in front of the goal and Lorien found him with an accurate pass and suddenly it was 1-0. The Taniquetil crowd, who had had so little to cheer about the previous game, roared thunderously. It was impossible to hear anything else the rest of the half.

During the break the fans made their way to the concession stands and restrooms, and the mood was festive with much high-fiving and chest-bumping. For the first time in the tournament everyone was feeling good about their team. As the second half started those feelings grew stronger, as Taniquetil's smothering defense lived up to its billing and shut down Amon Rhud completely, giving them no good chances to equalize.

At minute 65 Taniquetil nearly took a two goal lead, but Ebor got a fingertip and Varda's header and it bounced off of the sidebar. As time wound down the crowd started singing the praises of the Valar, and all over Valinor Elves and Ainu wore broad smiles.

And then at the 87 minute mark- disaster!

Amon Rhud was awarded a corner kick, and Algund boomed the ball and curved it away from the goal and the massed defenders, directly to Androg who had started in close to goal but ran out to meet the ball. As the ball sped towards him Androg, whose back was to the goal, left the ground and kicked the ball violently over his head and backwards towards the net. The ball passed directly between the heads of two Taniquetil defenders and past the reaching Mandos and straight on into the goal!

The Amon Rhud players went wild and their celebration could be heard throughout the silenced arena. Play restarted and Taniquetil tried desperately to score, but quick scores were not their forte and the game ended at 1-1.

Taniquetil's goal differential for the group was -2. Amon Rhud's was -1.

It was over. Taniquetil was eliminated.

Amon Rhud 1-1 Taniquetil
shots 6-8
on target 3-4
GOALS:
*Taniquetil, 40 (Thorondor- Lorien)
*Amon Rhud, 87 (Androg- Algund)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Amon Rhud- Forhend, Gethron
*Taniquetil- Este, Thorondor

[the phantom]

--GROUP H--

The final games for Group H were a hot ticket. Orcs were standing on street corners selling them for twenty times what they payed for them originally- and people were buying! The stadium would not be empty for the first game as many others had been for the final round, for both games had playoff hopes riding on them.

Valimar and Angband were set to play each other in the night match, and both sat at four points in the group with a +2 goal differential. A loss by Annuminas in the first match would guarantee both a spot in the playoffs. But if Annuminas won, as most expected, they would take the points lead and either Valimar or Angband would then have the opportunity to eliminate their bitter foes by defeating them and allowing Annuminas to advance with them.

Many fans of Valimar and Angband could not decide which scenario they wanted to see. "Well, I'd feel much safer if Annuminas lost or tied in the first match, but at the same time I'd just love to see Angband have to stay home for the playoffs," said one Valimar fan, expressing quite well the conflicting emotions of many of his fellows.

As Annuminas took the field they looked grim and determined, but so did their foes from Brethil, who did not intend to return back to the forest without picking up a point, or at least scoring a goal. The match was intense, and rough, with neither side willing to give an inch. Both teams had their chances, but the defenses held. The deadlock was not broken till more than half an hour into the match when Annuminas counter attacked quickly and Araphor was able to find an open Arantar for the header.

After the half both teams came out and worked as hard as ever, only this time it was Brethil who was rewarded in the 67th minute on a goal by Haleth. Many of the Valimar and Angband fans cheered, knowing that a tie would clinch it for their teams, but Annuminas ignored the crowd and kept fighting valiantly for the win.

In their first match against Angband, Araphor scored after minute 80 to score a tie. In their next match with Valimar it was again Araphor scoring after minute 80 for the tie. And unbelievably, for the third straight game Araphor came through yet again in the final minutes, scoring the game winner off of a nice feed from Valandur. The Annuminas section screamed with joy and the Valimar and Angband fans bit their nails in worry as time ran out and the whistle sounded.

Annuminas had taken the points lead in Group H.

Annuminas 2-1 Brethil
shots 14-11
on target 7-4
GOALS:
*Annuminas, 36 (Arantar- Araphor)
*Brethil, 67 (Haleth- Hunthor)
*Annuminas, 81 (Araphor- Valandur)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Annuminas- Arveleg, Arantar, Elendur
*Brethil- Hunthor, Dorlas, Handir, Manthor

As the final game prepared to start, the pro-Angband crowd began working itself into a frenzy. Orc captains round the stadium encouraged their troops not to be nervous, but rather confident that their team would prevail so long as the crowd was behind them. The crowd for the most part took this advice to heart, and so it was that Angband trotted out to wild cheers and Valimar to rumbling boos.

As the game progressed it was clear that these two titans were evenly matched. The heroic Eonwe, Tulkas, and company pushed hard, but the mighty Balrogs pushed back. The skillful Istari and Ulmo defended brilliantly, but Ancalagon and Gothmog up front gave them everything they could handle.

Both sides forced a narrow save by the opposing keeper, but at minute 29 Earendil fired such a pin-point rocket that even Carcharoth couldn't do anything and Valimar took the lead. The crowd was not deterred, however, and continued supporting the home team loudly. Shortly before the half they erupted as Ancalagon pounded in the equalizer.

As the second half rolled along the intensity and tempo increased, and cards had to be handed out. In minute 62 the crowd was quieted a bit for the first time as Earendil sent in a screamer that bounced off the post straight to Eonwe who sent the rebound in for the lead. But Angband came storming back, building up the attack, and at minute 75 it was Melkor himself taking matters into his own hands, running in and deflecting Gothmog's pass into the back of the net to pull even yet again.

As the seconds ticked away both squads seemed determined to eliminate their foes from contention, but the defenses held, and the game ended with a 2-2 tie. Many of the fans were confused, wondering what that result would mean for the group standings. And then the group point totals flashed on the screen.

Annuminas- 5
Angband- 5
Valimar- 5

A three way tie!

And then the goal differentials-

Annuminas +1
Angband +2
Valimar +2

The orcs and dragons sent up a mighty cheer as their team would be advancing to the playoffs. The only question left- who had won the group? Valimar or Angband?

Angband 2-2 Valimar
shots 13-14
on target 5-7
GOALS:
*Valimar, 29 (Earendil- Tilion)
*Angband, 42 (Ancalagon- Melkor)
*Valimar, 62 (Eonwe- Earendil)
*Angband, 75 (Melkor- Gothmog)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Angband- Ulfast, Balrog #3, Balrog #2
*Valimar- Pallando, Orome, Tulkas

[Nogrod]

The next day, after the games of the second round, some pretty serious incidents of violence bursted out in the open. Many orcs felt it was incomprehensible that some of their fellows had cheered and partied even if the home team had not won the Hithlumians. It made them look at this game called football with even more suspicion they had before. It was clearly a degrading game able to make decent orcs into love-babbling losers. And they would have none of that. Here and there gangs of drunken anti-football youth attacked orcs wearing football garments, scarfs or carrying flags or banners. No need to add they also ran on any visiting football fan they could lay their hands onto.

The tally of the day was 43 killed, 72 wounded and bruised plus 287 jailed for violence. Due to their carefulness only 3 tourists were killed and 14 maimed.

MEFA protested for the violence and threathened to cancel the last matches if the organizers couldn’t solve the problems. And the organizers managed to perform a miracle. With good relations to the government they managed to impose a martial law for the last day of games.

Every street and corner was filled with orc-guards. The stadium and it’s surroundings were heavily guarded with a hand-picked battalion chosen from those who were football-positive in the elite troops of the army. There were also special patrols checking the inns and pubs to see whether anything was brewing under cover.

So the games of the third round began under a relative peace.

Hithlum and Minas Tirith offered the handful of spectators quite a nice match and some beautiful saves by both goaltenders. Minas Tirith’s players had their chances in their own hands and they had clearly decided to give their best. Especially in the defence the self-denying tactics of the Minas Tirith team frustrated the feared Hithlum forwards. It seemed every player gave all he got to the game.

And Minas Tirith was not bad in the offence either. It was only because of the alertness and a few spectacular saves by Huor that kept Minas Tirith at bay. The continuous long runs made by the strikers and mid-fielders challenged the Hithlum defence and resulted finally in a 1-0 lead on the 29th minute when Earnur slided the pass of Boromir in from near the post.

But slowly the Minas Tirith team started to wear down. It was clear they were not up to playing in such an intensive manner for the full 90 minutes. And little by little their attacks became more sporadic and less fast, and little by little their pressure on the Hithlum forwards lessened. And that was the beginning of the end for Minas Tirith.

Giving space and time to players like Turin and Hurin is always a bad idea for the opposing team. But that was just what Minas Tirith had to do as the whole team had run themselves quite exhausted already before the half-time whistle.

Hurin thanked for the space left him and passed the ball nicely behind the defence-line where Turin had hurried himself and the game was even on the 41st minute.

Minas Tirith’s players managed to keep the game tied in the beginning of the second half after having rested for the intermission but soon their feet became heavy again and Hithlum took the control it never lost. On 68th minute Hithlum finally got what it quite frankly deserved.

Turin gave the corner. First it looked like it was a bad one as the ball flew high up past the goal. But as the defenders took their move to reposition themselves nearer the ball – or made it for it – they realised that Fingon had been waiting for the ball there far on the right side of the goal. And he headed it straight back to the left side where Hurin now had all the space and time he needed to just put the ball in. Had Ecthelion II not played one of his best matches the numbers could have been far worse for Minas Tirith.

So Minas Tirith lost the game and will now pack for home while the frighteningly solid-looking Hithlum team will proceed on the next rounds.

Hithlum 2-1 Minas Tirith
shots 15-13
on target 8-6
GOALS:
*Minas Tirith, 29 (Earnur- Boromir I)
*Hithlum, 41 (Turin- Hurin)
*Hithlum, 68 (Hurin- Fingon)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Hithlum- Aegnor, Marach, Angrod
*Minas Tirith- Telumehtar, Beregond

The arena was not full as the evening game began. The unrest and all the police-operations had clearly affected the possible spectators. Many had been afraid to turn in for fear of getting beaten.

That was sad as the game was pretty entertaining in the end – and looking at the teams it was all too clear it would not be a game for sissies or child-soccer. At some points a more sophisticated football fan might have asked himself whether it was rather rugby the teams were playing but the referee held a permissive line as not to be the decider of the outcome. And it was also clear that even this “easier” crowd of football loving orcs was intimidating enough for any referee.

To the great joy of the home crowd – and relief of the organizers – the Mordor team really showed it’s qualities on the first half getting an unbeatable-feeling 2-0 lead after a nice show of talent and boldness, especially that of the Witch King and the Mouth. The two arranged both goals each one scoring once. It was clear there was a better team and a weaker one in the field.

The two-goal lead slackened the Mordor team a bit and gave Moria a chance to come back to the game. After some nice tries in the beginning of the second half Moria finally scored. While Durin and his Bane were tightly watched by Shagrat and Gothmog there seemed to open room for Azog and Bolg to play. And they used it beautifully. Azog passed from near the corner-flag to the corner of the box where Bolg took the ball, dribbled Nazgul #7 off and passed it back to Azog who had been left totally unguarded as he had crept nearer the goal. Shelob had been anticipating a pass to the back-corner and was late from the shot.

Unfortunately for the Moria-side it didn’t take long for the Mordor team to set the arena on fire with a 3-1 goal. Khamul saw the opportunity as Watcher was wandering far away from it’s goal and sent a long pass to Nazgul #3 who in turn sent a high ball over Wathcer and into the net just below the pole.

Moria managed to come yet one goal behind before the game ended but no one actually believed they could equalise. And they didn’t.

The home crowd was overjoyed for the victory and the entertainment, and under a heavy police surveillance they poured out from the arena to fill their mugs in the nearby pubs specifically reserved for football fans. The night was less violent the pessimists had predicted. Partly due to the fact that the home team had won.

Mordor 3-2 Moria
shots 17-12
on target 8-5
GOALS:
*Mordor, 28 (WK- Mouth)
*Mordor, 39 (Mouth- WK)
*Moria, 53 (Azog-Bolg)
*Mordor, 63 (Naz #3- Khamul)
*Moria, 81 (Bolg- Azog)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Mordor- Naz #4, Shagrat, Naz #5
*Moria- Narvi, Great Goblin, Durin, Ohtar


------------------
G MORDOR

Hithlum – Moria 3-1
Minas Tirith – Mordor 1-2

Minas Tirith – Moria 2-2
Hithlum – Mordor 2-2

Hithlum – Minas Tirith 2-1
Mordor – Moria 3-2


1. Hithlum 7-4 7pts. Q
2. Mordor 7-5 7pts. Q
3. Minas Tirith 4-6 1pt.
4. Moria 5-8 1pt.

[the phantom]

Angband and Valimar were the top two teams from Group H, but as their pts, goal differential, total goals scored, and head-to-head were a wash, it was decided that a shootout would break the tie between them.

Each team sent their five best scorers to take a shot at the opposing goal. The highest total would be declared the group winner.

A coin was flipped and it declared that Angband would be the first to shoot.

Ancalagon- score
Eonwe- score
Gothmog- score
Tulkas- save
Melkor- score
Earendil- score
Ulfast- score
Tilion- score
Balrog #5- save
Orome- save

Angband wins the shoot-out 4 to 3. They would represent Group H as the 1 seed, and Valimar as the 2 seed.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Sorry for the delay, but blue resisted conversion to jpeg format (yes, I use Paint), and so the names of the qualifying teams were unreadable.

I just pasted the worksheets I made of the standings and the bracket, and attached them to this post. Tomorrow I may have time to turn both into pictures.

[Nogrod]

A keen observer might acknowledge that the individual performances have gotten a lot better as the tournament has advanced and thence with performances one got three points in the first leg of the matches one might have been left on zero on the third leg. But then again these stars are relative to any round of game and who makes the outstanding performances.


Five stars go to:

Miriel of Tuna
Nerdanel of Tuna
Eöl of Gondolin
Huor of Hithlum

Three stars go to:

Tar Minastir of Armenelos
Boromir II of Rivendell
Finrod of Nargothrond
Melkor of Angband
Eowyn of Edoras
Girion of Erebor
Hurin of Hithlum
Thranduil of Mirkwood
The Mouth of Mordor
Bolg of Moria
Eldacar of Osgiliath
Beruthiel of Umbar
Eärendil of Valimar
Beor of Nargothrond
Elros of Armenelos
Drauglin of Tol-In-Gaurhoth
Celebrimbor of Formenos

One star goes to:

Oropher of Mirkwood
Pelendur of Umbar
Ecthelion II of Minas Tirith
Finwë of Tuna
Araphor of Annuminas
Ar Pharazon of Armenelos
Fëanor of Formenos
Arahael of Fornost
The Witch King of Mordor
Azog of Moria
Aragorn of Rivendell
Carcaroth of Angband


There will be special awards from the Arda Kicker Magazine’s board at the end of the group stage as well.

Both Armenelos and Rivendell defences have been astonishingly solid allowing their opponents not a single goal. Therefore the defenders who seldom get rewarded in these star-tallies will get six extra-stars each and the goalies three extra stars each. The AKM acknowledges the joy of assigning the outstanding brothers tending the goal the same points...

Six special stars will go to:

Tar Atanamir of Armenelos
Tar Ciryiatan of Armenelos
Tar Telperien of Armenelos
Gildor of Rivendell
Celeborn of Rivendell
Erestor of Rivendell
Gandalf of Rivendell

Three special stars will go to:

Elros of Armenelos
Elrond of Rivendell


An Arda Kicker Magazine's sum up for the stars after the group-phase will follow a bit later…

[Nogrod]

Eight stars:

Elrond of Rivendell
Hurin of Hithlum
Miriel of Tuna

Seven stars:

Elros of Armenelos

Six stars:

Eöl of Gondolin
Huor of Hithlum
Maeglin of Gondolin
Carcaroth of Angband
Celeborn of Rivendell
Erestor of Rivendell
Gandalf of Rivendell
Gildor of Rivendell
Tar Atanamir of Armenelos
Tar Ciryiatan of Armenelos
Tar Telperien of Armenelos

Five stars:

Ar Adunakhor of Armenelos
The Barrow Wight of Breeland
Huan of Formenos
Scatha of Mirkwood
Tar Palantir of Romenna

Four stars:

Ar Pharazon of Armenelos
Boromir II of Rivendell
Finwë of Tuna
The Witch King of Mordor

Three stars:

Amandil of Romenna
Eomer of Edoras
Fingolfin of Hithlum
Legolas of Mirkwood
Maedhros of Formenos
Mardil of Minas Tirith
Melian of doriath
The Phantom of Tol-In-Gaurhoth
Sauron of Tol-In-Gaurhoth
Tom Bombadill of Breeland
Turgon of Gondolin
Turin of Hithlum

Two stars:

Pelendur of Umbar

One star:

Amroth of Lothlorien
Aragost of Fornost
Argeleb of Annuminas
Bain of Erebor
Barahir of Nargothrond
Bard of Erebor
Beren of Nargothrond
Boromir I of Minas Tirith
Brytta of Edoras
Durin’s Bane of Moria
Eärendil of Valimar
Ebor of Amon Rhûd
Eldacar of Osgiliath
Eomer of Tol-In-Gaurhoth
Galadriel of Lothlorien
Glaurung of Nargothrond
Grishnak of Mirkwood
Gritnir of Amon Rhûd
Idril of Gondolin
Olwe of Alqualonde
Tilion of Valimar
Tuor of Gondolin
Ulfast of Angband
Valandur of Annuminas
Varda of Taniquetil

[the phantom]

Sixteen teams were gone, sixteen teams remained. It was playoff time. The time for mistakes was past. There would be no opportunity for redemption. No ties. It was win or go home. Do or die.

**********

MATCH 1, AT RIVENDELL

The Valimar supporters that showed up in Rivendell were confident that their team was prepared. They had survived a very tough group, and shown that they were the equal of the great and powerful Angband team.

But the fans in Rivendell were confident as well. Rivendell had not given up a goal thus far, and they saw no reason why their defense couldn't win the match for them yet again. True, Valimar was skilled, but surely Gandalf and Elrond were up to the task of countering them.

The game kicked off and the fans of both sides cheered, and the players threw themselves into the battle, determined not to disappoint their confident supporters. But the players were not nearly so sure of the outcome. Many of them knew each other well, and knew that the other side was good enough to defeat them. Radagast, Pallando, and Alatar wondered if their former ally Gandalf had given the Rivendell offense tips on how to get past them, and Gandalf wondered the same of them. Elrond and Earendil both surveyed each other, fervently wishing there was a way for both of them to be successful, but knowing that it was impossible. One would leave the field defeated.

Early on it seemed that Valimar would be advancing, as their midfield controlled the ball masterfully, and got the ball forward effectively. But the Rivendell defense did not crack, and they refused to allow anything productive to happen out in front of the goal, but rather forced Valimar into the corners and clogged the middle. Valimar tried to make something happen by forcing it out front, but every time Rivendell met the challenge and sent the ball away.

Finally, Valimar started taking cracks at the goal from more towards the side as well as straight on from a distance, but as expected this tactic did not work. Elrond could not be caught napping or misplaying the angles, and anything that was on target he stopped with ease. After the first twenty-five minutes had been played, the Valimar front players seemed to have lost a step and Rivendell began pressuring more and successfully gained and held possession several times, though they were still unable to move it up against the Valimar deep players. For the final fifteen minutes of the half Rivendell controlled the action, but they were only able to gain one quality chance, a nice pass from Boromir II to Glorfindel that the elf-lord poked just wide of the goal.

The second half began and Valimar and Rivendell both took turns moving the action, but once again neither team could gain the upper hand on the defense of the other. By the sixty minute mark both teams appeared to be at a loss. The defenders were playing ridiculously perfect, never making a single lapse to take advantage of. To get a goal it seemed that they would have to depend on one of their up front players to come up with a great individual effort, or they'd have to gamble and commit more players to the attack. But neither team seemed willing to risk it.

At minute 71, the tie was finally broken. Tulkas managed to muscle his way between Celeborn and Erestor with the ball still with him and boomed a mighty kick towards the goal. Elrond layed out and deflected it away, but Earendil got to the deflection first and sent an amazing no-look pass back behind him to Eonwe who placed it expertly into the other side of the goal.

The Valimar fans, who had never once doubted their team, shouted their approval and high fived each other. Rivendell was precise, but Valimar was just as precise and had the edge in talent. Now all Valimar had to do was shut out Rivendell for twenty more minutes, and they had been doing that the entire game.

Rivendell began pressing, but Valimar handled it easily and sent the ball back the other way, once almost putting up a second goal on the counter. The Rivendell supporters waited anxiously for their team to put something together, but nothing materialized. As time ticked away the crowd began hoping for a miracle.

And they got it.

With only three minutes left in the game Aragorn went in deep to harass the ball and perhaps got away with roughing up Pallando a bit and stole the ball away from him and took off straight at the goal. Alatar came up to meet him and Arien caught him from behind but he did a brilliant spin move and the two slammed into each other, bumping heads violently. With them out of the action Aragorn stopped his desperate run and waited for Glorfindel and Boromir to charge in with him to challenge Ulmo, Radagast, and Ungolient.

Orome and Tilion were hot on their heels, but Boromir and Glorfindel stayed ahead and Aragorn took the ball in and drew Radagast up to challenge and sent it quickly to Glorfindel. Ulmo had gambled Boromir and so Glorfindel was free, and he made the most of his chance, throwing Ungolient off with a quick fake and then dribbling to the side and chipping it into the open goal.

The home crowd went wild and the Rivendell players mobbed Aragorn and Glorfindel. They had hope once again. Regulation ended and overtime began at 1-1. The first overtime both teams made a solid try, but both keepers were up to the challenge. During the second overtime both teams slowed it down, seemingly resigned to the fact that the game would be decided by a shoot-out. Valimar would shoot first.

Eonwe directed his shot at the right post. Elrond got a finger on it and the ball hit the post and rebounded away. The crowd screamed.

Glorfindel sent his kick low and to the left. It was good! 1-0 Rivendell.

Tulkas kicked next for Valimar, booming it into the back of the net to tie up the score.

But Boromir II mirrored the strength of Tulkas with his kick and Rivendell had the lead again.

Then it was Earendil's turn to face his son. Elrond was completely faked out as Daddy got the best of him.

The score remained tied as Aragorn II stepped up and missed wide on his attempt. The score was still even at 2-2 with two kicks left for each team.

Tilion sent a screamer high to the left side, but the ball hit the crossbar and bounced down on the goal line and Elrond caught it on the bounce to preserve the tie.

Elrohir gave it his best effort to gain the lead, but Ungolient batted it away brilliantly.

And so it was down to one kick a piece. Orome the hunter approached the ball and crushed it low and left. Elrond guessed left. As the ball flew beneath him, Elrond stretched his right arm down and stopped it cold.

The crowd stomped and whistled for their Lord, and then shrieked with excitement as he made his way to the other end of the field and lined up to take the final kick. It was all over. They knew it. Elrond stepped up and sent a laser to the top right corner. It scraped both bars as it entered the goal and the Rivendell players came pelting up the field towards Elrond. He was met first by Gandalf who hoisted him up in the air in victory as the rest of the team gathered around. The celebrations that night nearly rivaled those held after the destruction of the Ring at the end of the third age.

Rivendell 1-1 (3-2) Valimar (shoot-out)
shots 10-13
on target 4-7
GOALS:
*Valimar, 71 (Eonwe- Earendil)
*Rivendell, 87 (Glorfindel- Aragorn)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Rivendell- Elladen, Erestor
*Valimar- Arien, Alatar

[the phantom]

(special thanks to Nogrod for writing this match up)

MATCH 2, AT THE BARROW-DOWNS

There had been a lengthy discussion about where the Tol-in-Gaurhoth team should play it’s home game. Finally, the isle of Tol-In-Gaurhoth lost to the Barrow Downs as most ‘Downers were not too keen to play on the island and preferred the ‘Downs – even though the Barrow Wight himself had played for Breeland. So in the end Sauron was left almost alone (Thuringwethil voted with him, surely) and the game took place in the Barrow-Downs.

It was the time of the play offs then and the crowds packed the stadium at the Barrow Downs. But the mist had begun to gather long before the game started and soon the visibility was down to ten meters at best. The crowds – especially the loads of Mordor supporters – were complaining loudly about how much better the isle would have been.

But suddenly there was a song in the air.

Old Tom Bombadill is a merry fellow,
Bright blue his jacket is, and his boots are yellow.
None has ever caught him yet, for Tom, he is the master:
His songs are stronger songs, and his feet are faster.

Get out, you old Wight! Vanish in the sunlight!
Shrivel like the cold mist, like the winds go wailing,
Out into the barren lands for beyond the mountains!

A strong breeze of wind broke the mist away in minutes and the sun came out from behind it shining bright over the stadium. It was clear that one of the reasons the Breeland team hadn’t managed to qualify was the internal tension within the team. But now Tom Bombadil had conquered and given the crowd a chance to see the game the Barrow Wight had tried to conceal from them. There was a loud cheer when old Tom entered the stadium. Although a few Mordor supporters were already whining about the sunlight…

Now there were interesting dynamics to this game as Sauron played for the T-I-G team and not for Mordor. It was clear from the very beginning of the game that the Nazgûl were more than willing to show how formidable they were without him. At times it seemed Sauron was looking upon them as a proud father who thought that finally his offspring was showing some talent. Sadly the referee was not looking at the events in the game from the same angle and gave a yellow card to both Nazgûl #4 and #6 for roughing.

Although in the latter case also Hookbill the Goomba was carded as well, and with a reason. Nazgûl #6 and Hookbill were reaching out for the ball in the midfield when the Nazgûl booed loud to Hookbill’s ear to frighten him. But Hookbill took the Alien from under his shirt and threw it towards the Nazgûl. When the Alien bit the Nazgûl’s ear the Nazgûl got mad and tried to kill Hookbill with the sword he had sneaked into the playfield within his cloak. Happily the referee got into the middle of it and showed a card for both of them – and disarmed the Nazgûl.

But the T-I-G team was sovereign on the first half. Even though Mordor managed to make a few nice offensives, it was the T-I-G that controlled the game. On the 22nd minute Formendacil opened the scoreline after a long pass by Cailín that sent him one on one with Shelob – and Form was in form for it. On the 42nd minute it was time for the header specialist Nogrod to head in a nice pass from Thuringwethil following a corner kick situation.

But the Mordor team came back to the second half more offensive and more determined. And their offence proved to be poison to the T-I-G defences. On the 58th minute the Nazgûl were building up an offence on the midfield and while passing the ball the #6 gloated for his attack on Hookbill and made some remarks on Hookbill’s sister. That was too much for Nogrod and he headed the Nazgûl to his chest causing him to tumble down. The referee was strict: a yellow card for Nogrod.

But finally Mordor’s counter-offensive brought results and on the 61st minute The Mouth shot in a beautiful volley from the pass by Khamul from the corner of the box. Mordor was back in the game!

Their joy was short-lived as Sauron himself banged the ball into the Mordor net after a nice releasing pass by the Phantom. He had finally decided to show his minions who was the master on the ground.

Even though the T-I-G had been dominant the whole game, Mordor came up once more and went for making the game more even. An attack after another they came towards the T-I-G goal and the T-I-G players had the first idea what it is to play against an opponent which really knows how to play.

On the 83rd minute Khamûl was about to break free from the corner of the box. Eomer would have none of it and charged him – but being late of the situation he only managed to kick Khamûl to the groin. A yellow card and a free-kick were quite nicely judged by the referee as it could have been a penalty as well.

Khamûl gave the free kick from the corner of the box and The Witch King just shoved the defenders away from him and made the score line 3-2.

But the time ran out for the Mordor team and T-I-G managed to pacify the game after Mordor’s last goal so that when the referee blew his whistle to end the game it was the T-I-G that had a reason to celebrate. They had been the better team and had stood to the challenge.

Tol-In-Gaurhoth was in for the next round and Mordor had been beaten. There were a few troubles with the disenchanted Mordor fans, but in the end it went pretty nicely as the Barrow Wight’s police-teams were quite effective dealing with rebelling orcs…

Mordor 2-3 Tol-In-Gaurhoth
shots 12-16
on target 5-8
GOALS:
*TIG, 22 (Formendacil- Cailin)
*TIG, 42 (Nogrod- Thuringwethil)
*Mordor, 61 (Mouth- Khamul)
*TIG, 73 (Sauron- tp)
*Mordor, 84 (WK- Mouth)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Mordor- Shagrat, Naz #4, Naz #6
*TIG- Hookbill, Nogrod, Eomer

[the phantom]

MATCH 3, AT FORMENOS

It was a very noisy and boisterous crowd who gathered to watch the match between Formenos and Amon Rhud. The underground stadium carved out by Feanor and his sons in ages past was a bit smaller than other venues, but extremely loud, as well as jaw-droppingly beautiful. The players from Amon Rhud looked rather in awe as they came out onto the artificial turf, gazing in wonder at the many sparkling jewels that studded the seats and walls.

The players from Formenos however trotted out unfazed and began limbering up for the start, which soon arrived. From the opening minutes it became quite clear who the victor would be. Formenos was just a little faster, kicked just a little harder, changed directions a little quicker, and worked together just a little better than Amon Rhud.

At minute 13 Amon Rhud could no longer withstand the withering assault and gave up the first goal of the match to Maedhros off of a feed from his father. Just over ten minutes later Formenos struck again- only this time it was Feanor himself punching it in after a nice corner from Amrod.

Formenos seemed to take the foot off of the gas after this, but Amon Rhud was unable to counter, as time and time again they simply could not get the ball into the other half. And then just two minutes before the half, Maglor stole a pass and boomed a long shot that bent wickedly around the goalie and in for the 3-0 lead.

In the second half Formenos called off the dogs and stopped pestering Amon Rhud so much in their half, but they still smothered them when they got in close and refused to allow breathing room for a decent chance at the goal. And when Formenos had the ball they worked it into the offensive zone with relative ease, but they weren't working for their chances nearly so hard any longer, and thus Amon Rhud was able to preserve the three goal differential.

Until minute 78, that is. Aredhel made a nice run in at the goal, leaving her defender in her dust, and Maedhros from the other side expertly put the ball right to her head for the easy goal and a commanding 4-0 lead. Formenos kicked it around for most of the remaining time, and as the game ended the Formenos supporters exited the stadium wondering the same thing- if Formenos plays well, who can challenge them?

Amon Rhud 0-4 Formenos
shots 6-19
on target 1-11
GOALS:
*Formenos, 13 (Maedhros- Feanor)
*Formenos, 24 (Feanor- Amrod)
*Formenos, 43 (Maglor)
*Formenos, 78 (Aredhel- Maedhros)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Amon Rhud- Asgon, Grithnir, Forhend
*Formenos- Amrod